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BAE Systems Wins $75 Million Order for Protective Hard Armor Inserts

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

BAE Systems recently received a $75 million order from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to produce and deliver Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (ESAPI) plates. Since 1998, BAE Systems has produced more than 1.2 million hard armor inserts, including ESAPI and other SAPI derivatives, under various Department of Defense contracts.

“The ESAPI plate protects against multiple hits from small arms threats,” said Don Dutton, vice president and general manager of Protection Systems at BAE Systems Support Solutions. “These hard armor inserts help to save lives on the battlefield.”

The $75 million order is part of a new, three-year contract from DLA Troop Support. The total value of contract orders could reach approximately $236 million over the next three years. ESAPI plates are manufactured at the BAE Systems Phoenix, Ariz. facility, and deliveries are expected to begin this September and continue through August 2013.

“BAE Systems and its employees continue to demonstrate their commitment to producing top products to protect our troops worldwide,” said U.S. Representative Ed Pastor. “I’m proud of the work being done in my district to bring our men and women back home safely.”

www.BAEsystems.com

Tags: BAE Systems
Posted in Armor | 2 Comments »

SOCOM Chooses BAE SkeetIR Thermal Imager

Wednesday, April 11th, 2012

The US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has awarded BAE Systems an $11 million contract to procure the SkeetIR thermal monocular.

The combat proven monocular can be used in a variety of modes. It serves in weapon clip-on, handheld, and helmet mount modes and piggy-back to provide visual augmentation for image intensified (I2) devices. This turns a simple I2 device into a fusion device. Additionally, because it is a thermal imager it can be used day or night and used to peer through smoke or obscurants.

“Our primary focus is to allow our operators to see the enemy before they’re seen, and the SkeetIR does just that,” said Vadim Plotsker, president of BAE Systems OASYS in Manchester, New Hampshire, where the devices are designed and produced. “The SkeetIR has undergone extensive Department of Defense review and testing and is often referred to as a game changing operational capability.”

The SkeetIR is one of the smallest and most versatile thermal imagers on the market. It fits within the dimensions of a credit card and it allows for seamless operational transition from an observation to a targeting device. These uncooled LWIR sights can be turned on and put into action in less than four seconds and are controlled by a combination of hot buttons and an intuitive menu. Calibration is quickly accomplished when needed and a red dot sight can be instantly boresighted with the SkeetIR. The SkeetIR also includes a red laser for target designation. Finally, the devices are configured in such a way that the firmware can be altered or upgraded as needed. In fact. they are working on increasing battery life and decreasing warm up periods.

BAE uses the same remote as Insight for laser activation so the UTM is backwards compatible with the PEQ-2A, PEQ-15, PEQ-16, PSQ-18, and M3X/M6X weaponlights. There is no need to purchase additional new accessories and if a cable is lost or damaged it is easily replaced from existing spares. Finally, to conserve power, the SkeetIR utilizes a Hall Effect Sensor to go into standby mode and eventually shut down when disconnected from its mount.

BAE Systems OASYS has expertise in thermal imaging technology, optical assembly design and manufacture, precision optical components, and rapid development of multi-mission use devices. The company continues to improve its systems providing customers with smaller, lighter, and lower power devices.

Having worked with the SkeetIR I can tell you that it is simple to use and greatly enhances situational awareness. Additionally, I really like the versatility of the sight’s various mountain options.

www.baesystems.com

Note: This is an ITAR restricted item.

Tags: BAE Systems
Posted in Optics, Sensors | 1 Comment »

BAE Releases Liquid Body Armor Video

Tuesday, April 10th, 2012

BAE Systems (and others) has been working on liquid body armor for some time. It’s a very promising, low weight ballistic solution. They are using a shear thickening fluid which hardens as force is violently applied against it. You can make some up with cornstarch and water. Pour it out on a flat surface and then hit it with a hammer.

Unfortunately, you aren’t going to get much out of this video other than seeing body armor do what it is designed to do; act like a catchers mitt.

Part 1 shows 10 layers liquid armor in a durable casing
Part 2 shows 31 layers of untreated Kevlar

When I was in industry and we were working on the Explosive Formed Penetrator threat, one of my team’s engineers suggested using a non-newtonian fluid. While the technology shows promise, we decided that for our application, the material itself might compromise its ability to work when needed. Based on the magnitude of teh threat we’d need to go with a true shear thickening fluid. Form our standpoint, the issue was ensuring that the material would be in place when needed. A combat vehicle such as an MRAP is exposed to a wide variety of threats and environmental hazards any one of which might compromise the armor’s integrity and result in the fluid leaking from its section in the armor array. Instead we came up with another way to dissipate the energy of an EFP.

Body armor will present its own set of challenges in maintaining the proper amount of ballistic material in the proper place on the panel. Gravity tends to work against you with liquids in non-rigid containers, even in the case of thickened fluids or in this case coatings. Additionally, the fluid coating might dry out over time. What BAE has done to mitigate this effect is to use their “fluid” to treat woven Kevlar. Not only does this give the coating “body” but gives the material even more surface area to spread the energy of a ballistic threat across.

BAE testing has indicated that they can maintain ballistic protection at a 45% reduction in the thickness of the armor which results in increased mobility.

Tags: BAE Systems
Posted in Armor, Materials | 2 Comments »

BAE Awarded IOTV Contract

Friday, March 16th, 2012

BAE Systems has been awarded a four-year Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) contract to produce Improved Outer Tactical Vests (IOTV) and accessories used by the US Army. That DLA awarded the contract lets you know that this is a sustainment contract.

“This award reinforces our position as a valued partner in the body armor market” said Don Dutton, vice president and general manager of Protection Systems at BAE Systems Support Solutions. “DLA continues to see demand for sustaining these life-saving products, as well as the value and quality that all of our equipment affords.”

The company has received an initial $48 million in orders, which are expected to be completed by February 2013. The total value of the contract orders could reach approximately $267 million over the next four years.

www.BAEsystems.com

Tags: BAE Systems
Posted in Armor, Contracts | 13 Comments »

BAE Receives $15.8 Million Order for XSBI Plates

Friday, January 13th, 2012

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 Soldierâ€™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 militaryâ€™s rigid requirements and specifications.

â€œWe look forward to producing and delivering additional XSBI plates to the Army,â€ said Greg Kraak, director of warfighter equipment for BAE Systemsâ€™ Protection Systems business. â€œThese 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 Systemsâ€™ Phoenix, Ariz. facility, with deliveries scheduled through February 2012.

www.baesystems.com

Tags: BAE Systems
Posted in Armor, Contracts | Comments Off on BAE Receives $15.8 Million Order for XSBI Plates

Dakota Meyer Drops Suit Against BAE

Friday, December 16th, 2011

Yesterday, Dakota Meyer has reached an accommodation with BAE Systems’ OASYS business unit and dropped his suit against both them and former supervisor Bobby McReight. We are happy to hear that this has been worked out. Reading through court filings by both parties this looked to be a situation that would have bloodied the noses of all involved. It’s a shame that it ever came to this. Dakota Meyer is an American hero and looks to have a bright future ahead of him. Additionally, OASYS builds some of the best IR technologies available and we hope to see them continue along this path for the foreseeable future.

BAE provided this statement:

ARLINGTON, Virginia â€“ Sgt. Dakota Meyer and BAE Systems OASYS have resolved their dispute amicably. Sgt. Meyer has filed a dismissal of the case today with the court. The following statements have been issued reflecting closure of this matter:

Sgt. Dakota Meyer:

â€œI went to work for BAE Systems OASYS because of my great respect for the important work it does to protect the men and women of the U.S. military.

BAE Systems has demonstrated its support for veterans and their families through its generous contributions to the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation and many other ways.

During my time there I became concerned about the possible sale of advanced thermal scopes to Pakistan. I expressed my concerns directly and respectfully. I am gratified to learn that BAE Systems OASYS did not ultimately sell and does not intend to sell advanced thermal scopes to Pakistan.

BAE Systems OASYS and I have settled our differences amicably. I also have made the decision to not go forward with litigation against Bobby McCreight. I wish the best for Bobby and a successful future supporting our troops.â€

BAE Systems OASYS

â€œWe are pleased that we reached closure in this matter.

BAE Systems has the highest respect for Sgt. Dakota Meyer, who exemplifies the qualities that make the men and women of our armed services the best in the world. We owe him and the many thousands of others who have served and sacrificed for our country our deepest thanks.

BAE Systems, Inc. is proud to have an established track record as a trusted and responsible partner to our many U.S. military and intelligence community customers. Our more than 40,000 employees, including many thousand veterans, come to work every day focused on meeting the needs of those who serve. We are committed to continuing the vital work we do to support our customers in accomplishing their mission.

Tags: BAE Systems, Dakota Meyer, OASYS Technology
Posted in Industry | 4 Comments »

BAE Systems Celebrates the 15 Millionth MOLLE Component

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

Yesterday, tt a ceremony in their factory in McKee, Kentucky, BAE Systems celebrated the production of their 15 Millionth MOLLE component. In fact, about 10 million of those components originated at that very facility. It’s hard to believe but MOLLE itself is almost 15 years old. Developed in 1997 in conjunction with the US Army’s Natick Soldier Systems Center, MOdular Lightweight Load carrying Equipment or MOLLE is a system of individual load carrying components used primarily by the US Army. The heart of the system is the Pouch Attachment Ladder System (PALS) standard that allows the equipment to be tailored to the mission by configuring various vests, packs and armor carriers or “platforms”, as they are known, with specialized pockets and pouches to carry equipment. The beauty of MOLLE is that it is spirally developed. As new technologies and weapons are fielded, MOLLE can adapt by adding or dropping pouches and platforms. Not only has this happened several times over the life of the program but it has been fielded in no-less-than four camouflage patterns: Woodland, 3-Color Desert, UCP, and OCP. Associated systems such as the USMC’s ILBE, USAF DF-LCS, and SOCOM’s SOF-LCS as well as individual components have been produced in even more styles and colorways, but have all relied on PALS.

The original MOLLE Core Rifleman set incorporated a rucksack, load bearing vest, and pouches and included the so-called “probe and socket,” a quick-release between the pack frame and waist belt that might have been a little ahead of its time. The currently issued system includes a one-size-fits-all load bearing vest, Pack with and a fixed waist belt and a Tactical Assault Panel (TAP).

On hand at the event was Don Dutton, Vice President of BAE Systemsâ€™ Protection Systems. He related, â€œThe MOLLE system provides users with a completely customizable set of equipment which allows for readiness, mobility and efficiency of the warfighter, reaching a milestone such as the production of 15 million components, is an exceptional achievement for BAE Systems and its employees to achieve. Our employees come to work each day knowing that the work they do, is helping our warfighters overseas.â€

Also attending the celebration were Representative Marie Rader (R-Kentucky), U.S. Congressman, Harold Rogers (R-Kentucky), Major General Ed Tonini, The Adjutant General for the Kentucky National Guard and Sergeant Major Charles Williams of PM Soldier Protection & Individual Equipment.

â€œJob well done to the fine BAE Systems employees hard at work in Jackson County. This is a remarkable achievement,â€ said Congressman Hal Rogers. â€œNot only are these McKee sewing technicians making our region proud through exceptional craftsmanship, but theyâ€™re helping our warfighters stay well equipped and battle-ready with light-weight, adjustable gear. This work not only creates good paying jobs in southern and eastern Kentucky, but builds the security of our nation.â€

www.baesystems.com

Tags: BAE Systems, Natick Soldier Systems Center
Posted in Industry, MOLLE, Packs, PALS, PEO-Soldier | Comments Off on BAE Systems Celebrates the 15 Millionth MOLLE Component