US DLA orders BAE Systems tactical vests
BAE Systems will produce tactical vests equipped with body armour for the US Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) under a $35 million order announced on 10 December. The Improved Outer Tactical Vests (IOTV) include both soft-armour ballistic inserts and hard-armour plates, providing soldiers with lighter weight, advanced features and increased mobility in the field.
The IOTV is the most widely deployed bullet and fragmentation protection soft armour system for the US Department of Defense. Since 2007, BAE Systems has produced more than 800,000 outer tactical body armour vests for US troops serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and around the world.
Eric Gavelda, director of Warfighter Protection at BAE Systems’ Protection Systems business, said: ‘This tactical vest is a necessary and life-saving piece of equipment for the Soldier. The vest helps shield vital organs and protect against a variety of battlefield threats. Our ultimate goal is to help our warfighters return home safely to their families.’
According to the company, DLA Troop Support ordered the vests as part of a four-year contract issued in March, which could reach a value of $267 million. BAE Systems has thus far received a total of $83 million under the contract. The order is scheduled to be complete by October 2013.
More from Land Warfare
-
Australia invests $1.4 billion in additional AMRAAM buy
Some of the missiles ordered can be used on the F/A-18F Super Hornet, EA-18G Growler and the F35-A Lightning.
-
US Army seeks nearly $900 million to accelerate development and acquisition of CUAS capabilities
The branch plans to speed up the building and procurement of kinetic and non-kinetic systems for fixed, semi-fixed and on-the-move operations.
-
Large 10×10 vehicles go in search of a role
Wheeled vehicles ranging in size from 4×4 to 8×8 provide high-speed at a good level of mobility compared to tracked. However, tracked can be larger and have a higher level of mobility in marginal terrain with a smaller turning circle. What are the possibilities for a 10×10?