How ironic that PEO Soldier’s Equipment Piece of the Week, this week, of all weeks is the Soldier Plate Carrier System considering S&S Precision unleashed the Plate Frame on an unsuspecting public just yesterday. I mean, how do they expect anyone to look at it the same way again? It’s just not fair.
BAE Systems has received a $15.8 million award from the U.S. Army for the production and delivery of side ballistic insert plates, also known as XSBI hard body armor.
XSBI hard body armor inserts are worn on the inside of a Soldier’s vest to protect against a variety of ballistic threats. The protective plates, worn on both sides of the torso, offer greater ballistic protection over soft armor alone and are fully qualified by the U.S. Government to meet the military’s rigid requirements and specifications.
“We look forward to producing and delivering additional XSBI plates to the Army,†said Greg Kraak, director of warfighter equipment for BAE Systems’ Protection Systems business. “These plates offer increased protection on the battlefield, and will help protect the lives of the brave men and women serving our country.â€
This $15.8 million order is part of a previous contract awarded to BAE Systems in September 2010. The most recent award brings the total contract value to approximately $50.6 million. Production is being performed at BAE Systems’ Phoenix, Ariz. facility, with deliveries scheduled through February 2012.
If you liked SOTech’s BLOCS Gen III vest you won’t believe all the new features that this entire V.I.P.E.R. integrated load-carriage system now offers.
– Emergency ditch, Single point, one-handed, release (ditch your entire rig in an emergency situation with one lever pull, 2-way secured when not in use)
– Embedded Pistol holster option, side pull
– Extra padding modules for 2X padding on shoulders, lumbar, and lower chest for optimal carry comfort
– Load distribution riser, transferring the load off shoulders to the padded armor belt, onto the soldier/LE officer’s waist where it should be.
– New Padded Armor Belt with SERE insert option
– 8 new styles of side pouch options to further customize your rig for even more mission varieties including holster, detachable GP pouch, Rip-Away Trauma Pouch, upgraded MBTR radio pouch to accommodate an attached GPS unit, and a Flat MOLLE Adapter panel
– Military-grade solar power, charge your batteries, iPad, laptop, or anything needing electric power in the field and on-the-move
– All new pouches and solar are fully compatible with any previous BLOCS Gen III vests
See all of SOTech’s kit in booth #20113 at SHOT Show.
The S&S Plate Carrier is unlike anything you have ever seen and it is going to change the way that you look at armor carriers…forever. S&S Precision applies real world experience to their designs. The Plate Frame is so elegant in its simplicity that you will wonder why no one has done it before. Its sleek, skeletonized frame grasps your plate with no excess material, yet offers a rigid mounting platform for accessory pouches. Weighing a scant, 1 lb 6 oz, you only carry what you need.
Diamondback Tactical LLLP, a US manufacturer and designer of mission-specific technologically advanced tactical armor systems, announced today the appointment of Andrew Bair, as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development; Roland VanSkiver, as Vice President of Sales; and Mike Runella, as the Director of Specialty Programs. Bair, VanSkiver and Runella will work to develop and implement new business & sales strategies that will enable Diamondback Tactical to strengthen its position as an industry leader in 2012.
“We are excited to continue to build our team and our business,†said Dale Taylor, CEO/President of Diamondback Tactical. “Andrew, Roland & Mike will add a tremendous amount of value and expertise to our growing organization. We are confident that their proficiency, combined with their years of experience in the industry, and focused strategic partnerships, will catapult Diamondback Tactical to the next level of success.â€
Andrew Bair has advised some of the world’s top multi-national companies, international organizations and governments. Before joining Diamondback Tactical, Bair served as the senior vice president of the Willis Group, an international insurance and risk management firm in North America, Europe and the Middle East. Bair has also worked for the State Department as Senior Advisor to the Special Envoy for the Balkans and as a Special Advisor for Counter-Terrorism in the Office of the Secretary of State. His extensive experience within the federal and international markets will enable Diamondback Tactical to effectively grow focal markets.
Roland VanSkiver previously served as a Special Operations Program Manager for Diamondback Tactical. Vanskiver has more than 10 years of senior management and business consulting experience with Privately Held and Fortune 500 Corporations. In addition to his corporate leadership experience Vanskiver has served our country at home and abroad. Vanskiver a former Marine served with 3rd Battalion 2nd Marine Division as a squad leader and Marine Corps Security Forces Battalion, Anti/Counter-Terrorism unit as a team leader. In addition to his military service Vanskiver served as member of the Baltimore City Police Department’s narcotics & gang “Flex†unit.
Mike Runella previously served as a Special Operations Program Manager for Diamondback Tactical. Runella has an extensive background in tactical nylon design, ballistics, manufacturing and operations. Runella has several years of senior management experience working with tactical product manufactures. Runella has served our country at home and abroad in the United States Military and Federal Government as a member of the Special Operations community and the Private Security Sector.
Diamondback is Back!
Just because you haven’t heard much from Diamondback Tactical lately, don’t count them out. Diamondback Tactical has launched an all new website with an emphasis on armor systems.
Also, check out their new catalog.
The US Army dropped a presolicitation over the holiday break for an “Advanced Combat Helmet Maxillofacial System.” According to the FBO posting it is a set aside for small business and must not change the standard ACH:
“Product Manager Soldier Protective Equipment (PM SPE) is looking for a commercially available product that can provide ballistic, blast and blunt impact protection in the maxillofacial region to increase soldier survivability. The system must be able to integrated on the current Advanced Combat Helmet and provide modularity which allows for commanders in the field to either wear the face shield or ballistic mandible separately or as an integrated system. The maxillofacial system shall not change the current form, fit, function of the helmet and maintain the current helmet sizing profile.”
Sounds like it might just be written for MTek Weapon Systems’ G-Series Faceshields. Their FAST G3A has been purchased in limited numbers by the Rapid Equipping Force and used by cupola gunners in combat.
The Army intends to procure only one type of system with an initial quantity of one hundred and sixty (160) systems will be procured with options for an additional two thousand (2,000) systems. The actual RFP will come out on 13 January and offerors will have until 14 February to reply.
