| 15 January 2012
PHOENIX, Arizona: Vigilance can authoritatively confirm that BAE Systems last week received a whopping $15.8 million from the U.S. Army for the production and delivery of side ballistic insert plates, otherwise known as XSBI hard body armour.
According to a BAE Systems’ spokesperson XSBI hard body armour 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 armour alone and are fully qualified by the U.S. Government to meet the military’s rigid requirements and specifications.
Vigilance learnt that BAE Systems first introduced the SAPI plate in 1998 and has ever since produced more than 1 million hard body armour inserts, including XSBI and Enhanced SAPI, under multiple Department of Defence contracts.
“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.”
A source at BAE Systems revealed that that the $15.8 million order is part of a previous contract awarded to BAE Systems in September 2010, adding the most recent award brings the total contract value to approximately $50.6 million.
It is said production is being performed at BAE Systems’ Phoenix, Ariz. facility, with deliveries scheduled through February 2012.