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
-
![US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy]()
US DoD task force’s DroneHunter acquisition lays groundwork for Replicator 2 CUAS strategy
As the US Department of Defense looks to counter the growing threat of uncrewed aerial systems to improve homeland security, the DroneHunter acquisition could point to future commercial innovation.
-
![Norway opts for Hanwha’s Chunmoo for long-range fires under $2 billion deal]()
Norway opts for Hanwha’s Chunmoo for long-range fires under $2 billion deal
The selection of Hanwha’s K239 Chunmoo long-range precision fires system, with a contract expected to be signed on 30 January, makes Norway the second European country to choose the system. It is expected an operational system will be in service within four years.
-
![Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax]()
Land forces review: Tanks, trucks and IFVs dominate but woes remain for Ajax
This year has begun with main battle tanks taking the lead while orders for large logistics and support vehicles continued from last year. Additionally, two of the British Army’s most significant contracted vehicle programmes, Ajax reconnaissance vehicle and Challenger 3 tank, continued to make news in January.
