BAE reports new orders for body armor

PHOENIX, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Additional hard armor inserts for tactical vests worn by U.S. troops are being produced by BAE Systems under contracts worth nearly $18 million.

"The body armor is designed with the specific purpose of stopping armor-piercing bullets," said Ashoo Agarwal, a quality engineer at BAE Systems. "Our team of engineers works hard to ensure every plate we make meets a rigorous set of requirements and standards. This commitment to quality helps protect warfighters around the world."

Among the recently issued contracts is a $10.2 million order from the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency for Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts; an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract worth as much as $6 million from the U.S. Department of Defense for SPEAR BALCS inserts and a $500,000 research and development contract from the U.S. Marine Corps for Enhanced Concealable Small Arms Protective Inserts.

The hard armor inserts -- worn inside the fronts, backs, and sides of outer tactical vests – have been fully qualified by the U.S. government in physical, environmental, and ballistic testing, BAE Systems said.

The number of inserts to be provided was not disclosed.