BAE Systems to Showcase New Scalable Soldier Protection System
26 Oct 2010 | Ref. 251/2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- BAE Systems is unveiling its all inclusive body armor system, called the Scalable Soldier Protection System (SSPS), at this year's Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting and Exposition. Designed to improve the way soldiers currently wear and utilize their protective equipment, SSPS is an integrated body armor system that is comprised of a soft armor vest, plate carrier and load bearing belt.
Applying technologies and designs developed from its internally funded Ultra Lightweight Warrior (ULW) program, BAE Systems designed SSPS to meet the U.S. Army's Soldier Protection Demonstration requirements. Because SSPS is modular, scalable and tailorable, within seconds, the vest can be transformed from a concealable configuration that provides solid protection in low-risk threat situations, to a full tactical vest required for high-risk missions.
"It's not enough to just offer individual body armor components to our soldiers today. The individual components have to be able to work together as a system, and not get in the way of a soldier's mobility," said Val Horvatich, director of Advanced Programs at BAE Systems' Personnel Protection Systems business. "With SSPS, we've created a next generation and a true body armor system that not only enhances mobility and proper weight distribution, but allows soldiers to configure the system any way they want, to meet any requirements."
The technologies incorporated into SSPS include new lightweight materials, a soft armor package that is lighter in weight than current offerings, and a quick-release mechanism that decreases donning and emergency doffing time. The system itself can be configured into four primary configurations, including:
* Concealable
* Concealable with Plate Carrier
* Stand-Alone Plate Carrier
* Tactical
The SSPS also has a load-bearing and stabilizing feature that better distributes and repositions weight from the shoulders to the hips.
"When used, the load-bearing and stabilizing feature aids in better distributing the weight of the vest and plate carrier over the hips, allowing for the effective and adjustable transfer of weight from the shoulders to the hips," said Horvatich. "This results in immediate removal of excess strain from the shoulders, greatly reducing fatigue and performance degradation."
Another unique feature of SSPS is that BAE Systems developed a female version of the system, specifically designed to deliver the same ballistic protection, while improving comfort, fit and shaping for women.
BAE Systems was awarded a contract from the U.S. Army in June of this year for ten SSPS systems, which are undergoing testing and evaluation this fall.
About BAE Systems
BAE Systems is a global defense, security and aerospace company with approximately 107,000 employees worldwide. The Company delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. In 2009 BAE Systems reported sales of £22.4 billion (US $36.2 billion).
For further information, please contact
Jennifer Robinson, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 513 341 4073 Mobile: +1 513 833 5389
jennifer.s.robinson@baesystems.com
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