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
-
![Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance]()
Laser weapon solutions are emerging as Europe confronts air defence cost imbalance
Europe’s air defence debate is increasingly shaped by the blunt economics of the field. While high-value interceptor missiles can effectively shoot down cheap drones, doing so at scale presents cost challenges.
-
![ARX Robotics expands in UK following British Army backing for uncrewed platforms]()
ARX Robotics expands in UK following British Army backing for uncrewed platforms
Following an order from the British Army, ARX Robotics has begun manufacturing autonomous ground platforms in the UK. Christopher Foss examines the company's growing range of systems.
-
![Textron unveils a smaller, low-cost variant of the Ripsaw family of UGVs]()
Textron unveils a smaller, low-cost variant of the Ripsaw family of UGVs
Ripsaw M1 has been designed to support the US Marine Corps’ littoral missions by carrying diverse types of payloads and performing multiple missions. Shephard spoke with Textron to find out more.
