BAE wins $10M contract

The U.S. General Services Administration will purchase $10 million worth of Outer Tactical Vests produced by Phoenix-based BAE Systems Mobility and Protection Systems. The vests will be used in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the larger U.S. Military Global War on Terrorism.

The vest, which use small arms protective insert plates, can protect against fragments and shrapnel from mines, grenades, mortar shells, artillery fire and other small projectiles. The company, a subsidiary of BAE Systems Inc., the U.S. arm of BAE Systems plc. It is the world’s thrid-largest military contractor with opperations in the U.S., Australia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

“This award provides the Iraqi military forces and other regional allies with an individual body armor system designed to protect against threats found in the region,” said Sean Martin, director, business development of Individual Equipment for BAE Systems. “The OTV allows for greater interoperability with U.S. coalition forces through its modular vest design which incorporates MOLLE equipment attachment points.”

The company has produced more than 334,000 OTVs since 2003, when the company first launched the product. Work for the latest contract will be conducted in Tennessee and Alabama and is expected to be completed by the end of June.

BAE in Phoenix was formerly known as Armor Holdings before being purchased in May, 2007. Armor Holdings purchased Simula Inc. in 2003, which was the first company in the state to produce body armor for the military.

Ty Young can be reached at ty@aztechnews.net