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
-
![British Army fires Javelin from Boxer as Australia set for lightweight launchers]()
British Army fires Javelin from Boxer as Australia set for lightweight launchers
Australia has received approval to buy Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units (LwCLU) on the same day as the British Army announced the first firing from a Boxer armoured vehicle, a sign of the continuing interest in the weapon. Billons-of-dollars of Javelin missiles and systems have been ordered in the past two years.
-
![Lockheed picks Australian site for GMLRS support and possible missile manufacture]()
Lockheed picks Australian site for GMLRS support and possible missile manufacture
A final decision on the siting of an Australian Weapons Manufacturing Complex (AMWC), which will produce all-up GMLRS (Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System) rounds, will be made by the Australian Department of Defence (DoD).
-
![Raytheon and Diehl Defence sign deal to co-produce Stinger missiles in Europe]()
Raytheon and Diehl Defence sign deal to co-produce Stinger missiles in Europe
An agreement has been signed that will extend Stinger missile system production to Europe with Diehl Defence currently looking at manufacturing locations.
-
![Lockheed Martin wins deals for missiles and systems worth $5 billion]()
Lockheed Martin wins deals for missiles and systems worth $5 billion
There continues to be an insatiable desire for air-defence and air-launched missiles and systems in the US and worldwide. Lockheed Martin’s latest deals reinforce the demand and highlight the supply chain challenge for manufacturing solid rocket motors.
