BAE Systems awarded $3.6m contract to produce integrated restraint airbag systems for German armoured security vehicles

BAE Systems, the world's second largest defence, security and aerospace company, has been awarded a $3.6 million contract by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) to manufacture and deliver four-point harness safety restraints with integrated airbag systems for 125 German Boxer Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicles.

The new SCHROTH restraint system - produced by BAE Systems, a leading producer of high performance, advanced restraint systems under the SCHROTH brand - offers numerous innovative features including shoulder harnesses fitted with belt-integrated airbags. In the event of a crash, sensors measure the resulting accelerations and send signals to gas generators that produce micro pyrotechnical charges allowing the airbags to be deployed within a fraction of a second.

Although air bags have been in commercial vehicles for years, there have been very few applications of air bag technology to a production ground vehicle developed specifically for military applications. This inflatable restraint brings state-of-the-art protection by integrating the air bag into the shoulder harness and providing protection for side-facing occupants.

"The deployed airbags offer occupants superior protection against head injuries in the event of a crash," said Martin Nadol, Head of Global Programs for BAE Systems' SCHROTH business in Germany. "Additionally, any risk of hyperextension of the cervical spine is significantly reduced," Nadol added.

Deliveries of the new restraint system are expected to be completed in 2014. SCHROTH will produce seven restraint systems per vehicle, along with replacement parts, for the vehicles that are being delivered to the German Armed Forces.

As part of the agreement, SCHROTH engineers have also developed a special, self-administered diagnostic tool that allows soldiers the ability to check and maintain airbags and sensor systems.

"Our partnership with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann supports our long-term commitment to Original Equipment Manufacturers," said Don Dutton, vice president of BAE Systems' Platform Survivability business. "By offering critical survivability solutions, as well as the ability to integrate the solutions with virtually any military or commercial platform, we're providing OEMs with the total solution they need to protect our servicemen and women," Dutton added.

The SCHROTH brand falls under BAE Systems' Platform Survivability business and produces seating and restraints and armour kits for tactical and combat vehicles. The restraint systems and components are manufactured at BAE Systems' SCHROTH facilities in Arnsberg, Germany. Originally developed in the 1950s, SCHROTH restraints are used in military vehicles, airplanes, helicopters and racing/performance vehicles. SCHROTH is the brand leader for safety and innovation of restraints, from lap belts to nine-point harnesses. SCHROTH restraints are used by NASCAR, Formula One, and Indy car teams. BAE Systems, under its SCHROTH brand, is also a supplier to premier vehicle manufacturers such as Porsche and Lamborghini.

Source: BAE Systems

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