BAE Systems announces new body armour contracts
BAE Systems has announced that it has recently received a number of contracts worth a combined $18 million that will see it supply additional hard body armour inserts to the US military.
The contracts include a $10.2 million order from the US Defense Logistics Agency for Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI); and an IDIQ contract award for up to $6 million from the US Department of Defense (DoD) for SPEAR BALCS inserts. Additionally the company will supply Enhanced Concealable Small Arms Protective Inserts to the US Marine Corps under a $500,000 research and development contract.
BAE Systems’ hard armour inserts are designed to be worn inside the fronts, backs, and sides of outer tactical vests, to provide advanced torso protection against a range of firearm threats on the battlefield. They are fully qualified by the US government through arduous and independent physical, environmental, and ballistic testing.
Ashoo Agarwal, quality engineer, BAE Systems, said: ‘The body armour is designed with the specific purpose of stopping armour-piercing bullets. Our team of engineers works hard to ensure every plate we make meets a rigorous set of requirements and standards. This commitment to quality helps protect warfighters around the world.’
To date, BAE Systems has produced more than 1.2 million hard body armour inserts, including ESAPI and other SAPI derivatives to the US military under various DoD contracts.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![DroneShield sets sights on Europe thanks to surge in CUAS demand]()
DroneShield sets sights on Europe thanks to surge in CUAS demand
The Australian-based CUAS technology specialist is responding to a marked shift in global appetite as it looks to branch out to an unspecified western European country early next year.
-
![Information advantage: what is a data fabric and why is it essential for armed forces?]()
Information advantage: what is a data fabric and why is it essential for armed forces?
In Conversation: Shephard's Gerrard Cowan talks to Systematic’s Chris Harris about the vital importance of data fabrics in the networked battlespace, and how this capability can already be provided by existing technology.
-
![DSEI 2025: MBDA introduces NLOS Akeron 120 MBT missile]()
DSEI 2025: MBDA introduces NLOS Akeron 120 MBT missile
The no-line-of-sight (NLOS) missile is MBDA’s latest ammunition offering for main battle tanks (MBTs), with the company foreseeing an entry to market date window for Akeron within the next two years.
-
![DSEI 2025: Teledyne takes wraps off autonomous launch recovery box for drones]()
DSEI 2025: Teledyne takes wraps off autonomous launch recovery box for drones
Teledyne FLIR Defense revealed the SkyPad fully autonomous quadcopter launch and recovery box at AUSA in Washington DC last year. The SkyCarrier is the production version of the system and is designed for the launch and recovery of the company’s SkyRaider and SkyRanger uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).
