The creation of the respiratory and electro-acoustic products business units, along with the existing helmet systems division and a group dedicated to the advancement of materials, resulted in the company's ability to produce totally integrated systems for tactical applications. The first production of Gentex ballistic helmet PASGT began during Operation Urgent Fury in 1983 and replaced the Vietnam era M1 steel helmet. By 1987, Gentex was made SPH-4 aviation helmets for the United States Army, which eventually became an industry standard globally.