VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., April 17 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army has contracted ADS Inc. to be the systems integrator for the delivery of fire-resistant tactical garments used by soldiers in combat zones.
U.S. company ADS was selected to be the systems integrator for the Army's Fire Resistant Environmental Ensemble. Under the deal, valued at more than $1 billion, ADS will work with more than 10 U.S. technical-garment companies to deliver FREE systems to the Army.
Officials said the new 17-component FREE system, capable of high functionality in various combat environments, is designed to provide soldiers with next-generation protections from flame and heat threats.
"Our company has worked closely with the Army and the best garment manufacturers and textile companies in the United States to create this technologically advanced protective-clothing system," Luke Hillier, ADS chief executive, said in a statement.
"Our soldiers are exposed to hazardous combat conditions every day, and the FREE clothing system will increase soldier protection and survivability -- which is the core mission of our company."
