World Leader in K9 Helmets & Electronics
Dark Systems is the world leader in K9 helmets. Worldwide, over 3,000 of the company’s products have been deployed to the military and law enforcement agencies, SAR and K9 handlers.
Dark Systems did not invent the dog helmet but revolutionized it and more importantly, we enable thousands of dogs to be equipped and protected.
Each day, they use the DarkFighter K9 Helmet to protect their personnel. Dark Systems is a company of high-level engineers and professionals committed to listening, understanding and responding to our customers’ mission-critical needs.
22 NSN Numbers
40 Worldwide Countries Systems Deployed
3000 systems Delivered
The Importance Of Performance Equipment For Working Dogs
The importance of performance equipment for working dogs cannot be overstated. These dedicated animals perform critical tasks, from law enforcement to search and rescue, often in challenging and hazardous environments. High-quality performance gear ensures their safety, efficiency, and well-being. For instance, protective vests shield them from potential threats, while specialized harnesses provide better control and support during operations. Advanced equipment like GPS trackers assists handlers in monitoring their location in real-time, enhancing operational coordination.
Investing in superior performance gear is not just about optimizing the dogs’ capabilities but also about honoring their invaluable contributions by ensuring they remain protected and supported throughout their demanding missions.
Dark Systems: A Leader In K9 Equipment Innovation
Dark Systems has established itself as a trailblazer in the realm of K9 equipment innovation, driven by a commitment to enhancing the safety and effectiveness of working dogs. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and rigorous testing protocols, Dark Systems crafts performance gear that meets the unique demands of law enforcement, military, and search-and-rescue operations. The company’s dedication to quality ensures that each piece of equipment offers unparalleled durability and functionality.
This relentless pursuit of excellence not only fortifies canine capabilities but also fosters a deeper bond between handlers and their dogs, ultimately contributing to mission success and safeguarding lives on both ends of the leash.
BUILT. TESTED. PROVEN.
Dark Systems K9 gear stands out through its meticulous design and advanced materials, ensuring optimal performance and safety for working dogs. Each piece of equipment is crafted with durability in mind, capable of withstanding the harsh conditions often encountered in the field. The ergonomic designs prioritize comfort, allowing dogs to maintain peak performance without hindrance. Additionally, the gear integrates cutting-edge technology for enhanced tracking and communication, providing handlers with real-time data to make informed decisions.
Partners
Story
May 2024
Introducing the 4th GEN DarkFighter K9 Helmet
The 4th GEN Helmet Designed for military and law enforcement professionals, it sets new standards in operational efficiency and comfort. The GEN4 is compatible with the previous generation accessories, keeping the technical assets that our customers love while improving the others and innovating once again.
October 2023
Dark Systems partners with FalCom
Dark Systems is proud to enter into an industry partnership with renowned and well-known manufacturer FalCom to offer an unrivaled solution in the K9 market.
FalCom helmets are now integrated and compatible with DarkFighter K9 Helmet. This major advance allows this hearing equipment to be used in simple situation or connected to the DarkMesh in order to get an optronic and two-way audio communication system, unique in the world.
March 2023
Second Expansion
New expansion for Dark Systems to establish a new production line for the DarkFighter K9 Helmet as well as the K9 electronics range. Dark Systems invests massively in its stock to reduce delivery times, support ongoing projects and support existing customers in after-sales service, particularly due to MOD contracts which require Dark Systems to stock spare parts for a period of time of 5 years.
September 2022
Dark Systems has been awarded two contracts for NATO countries.
Dark Systems, a world leader in innovative K9 head protection systems and K9 optronics solutions, has been awarded the first two contracts for NATO countries with a suite of helmet systems.
Dark Systems will deliver new helmets with accessories and additionally has established a spare parts and life extension programme.
August 2022
Launching Quick Release Muzzles
After a period of R&D and testing with operators we are proud to launch the new Quick Release System for DarkFighter K9 Muzzles.
This is a major breakthrough in our solution to meet operational needs and increased modularity.
...
June 2022
Time To Expand
Dark Systems has to expand urgently and multiply resources in order to manage the orders and the success generated by the DarkFighter K9 Helmet and accessories. In a tense and short context our entire team works very hard to satisfy the operators and protect their dogs, no weekend, no holidays. Dark Systems is also increasing its international presence .
March 2022
First Trade Show in USA
Our team is participating in our first K9 show in the USA: Annual International Police K-9 Conference, Las Vegas, NV. The interest of K9 handlers is confirmed and we receive support and indescribable success from the entire K9 community, American and international. We would like to warmly thank everyone who supported and helped us in this titanic project.
March 2022
Launching Strobe Light
After almost two years of R&D, we are proud to launch the DarkFighter Strobe Light, the result of development carried out with our operational contacts, listening to their needs and technical requirements.
Always with the aim of protecting K9s and allowing them to work in conditions as good as those of 2-legged operators.
March 2022
Introducing Active Ear Covers
Dark Systems is the first manufacturer of K9 helmets to integrate active hearing protection in order to offer an optimal and adequate solution. The addition of electronic protection makes it possible, as for humans, to reduce impacts and nuisances in order to allow the dog to work in the best possible conditions.
March 2021
Launching DarkFighter K9 Helmet
On September 22, 2021 we are officially launching our K9 DarkFighter Helmet after more than 2 years of R&D, numerous prototypes and thousands of hours invested in this project. At that time, we hoped to be able to offer an additional solution but we didn't imagine the enthusiasm that the launch of our solution would generate.
The beginning...
2021
A decisive moment
On January 14, 2021, Jackadi (RAID), was stabbed by a madman. The police dog intervened on Thursday evening to control a holed man. Just before being arrested, the madman strikes Jakadi several times with a knife. This one, between life and death, is taken to the veterinary emergency room where he will ultimately be saved but loses an eye. The entire Dark Systems team was affected by this fact reported by all our contacts, and we are accelerating our project.
2020
Research & Development
At the beginning of 2019 we assembled our first prototype, it was a complete failure and we wondered if our tester dog was indeed the one we scanned 😂.
During this time we continue to receive complaints from K9 handlers about the solutions they are testing or that they have received: lack of comfort for the dog, injuries, incompatible product on many dogs, lack of modularity, etc.
2019
Start of the DarkFighter K9 Helmet project
Following an avalanche of requests from our partners, friends and handlers desperate to equip and protect their dog with an industrial and innovative solution, we decide to develop our own solution and innovate the comfort of the dog above all.
First step, we do a high-resolution 3D bodyscan of a Malinois dog in order to obtain a first working model. We use one of the very first 3D body scans on the market.
2018
First K9 Cameras
The first K9 camera systems are delivered to our customers, most of our end-users request for a head-mounted camera system and no longer back-mounted. At this time there are no suitable products that would allow us to carry our equipment. Our team is looking for solutions, however solution 1 is not stable enough and solution 2 is not yet available.
We are looking for solutions without success, we are waiting for our K9 handlers to advise us which equipment they prefer.
2012
Start of activity
The ability to turn an idea into a fully functional elite tactical product in weeks is a unique service that sets Dark Systems apart from the competition. We combine our internal resources with direct feedback from established Military and Law Enforcement clients to provide products and services that are specifically designed to protect those who protect us.
We design and produce custom solutions for special forces worldwide, we act in the dark.