BAE contracted for outer tactical vests

PHOENIX, June 12 (UPI) -- The U.S. General Services Administration has contracted BAE Systems for outer tactical vests to protect troops in the Iraq and Afghanistan combat theaters.

Under the $10 million GSA award, BAE will provide outer tactical vests with small arms protective insert plates in a U.S. Defense Department initiative to better protect soldiers in the field from militant fire along with mines, grenades and mortar shell fragments, among other threats.

"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," Sean Martin, BAE Systems director of business development for individual equipment, said in a statement.

"The outer tactical vest allows for greater interoperability with U.S. coalition forces through its modular vest design which incorporates MOLLE (modular lightweight load-carrying equipment) equipment attachment points."