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.