Defense Speak Interpreted: Is DARPA Still Around After CHIPS?
Beyond the Board: Orbital High Ground—Why Space Superiority Is Slipping Away
The Government Circuit: Trump’s Trade War Disrupts the Electronics Ecosystem
BAE Systems to Continue Production of Vital Soldier Protection Equipment
September 29, 2015 | BAE SystemsEstimated reading time: 1 minute
The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a contract modification worth $45 million for the low-rate initial production of lightweight torso and side body armor that protects soldiers while reducing their carrying load.
The modification was awarded under the Soldier Protection System Vital Torso Protection program, which represents the future in lightweight, high-performance hard body armor.
“This award shows the continued importance of BAE Systems to the Army’s drive to deliver the lightest weight body armor available today,” said Robert Monks, director of Warfighter Protection Programs at BAE Systems. “It positions us to continue as a leading supplier of the lightest, next-generation body armor for the U.S. Department of Defense.”
Under the contract, BAE Systems will provide three armor variants: the Lightweight X Small Arms Protective Insert (XSAPI), a torso plate that protects against various threats; and two side plate variants, the Lightweight X Side Ballistic Insert (XSBI) and Lightweight Enhanced Side Ballistic Insert (ESBI), which enhance the protection afforded by the torso plates. These plates offer the same level of ballistic performance as previous generations but are at least seven percent lighter, reducing the load on the warfighter.
BAE Systems will deliver more than 90,000 plates under the contract modification. The work is underway at the company’s Phoenix, Arizona, facility.
BAE Systems’ ballistic experts continuously work to develop and enhance the company’s hard and soft body armor solutions to provide better performance and protection while decreasing weight. BAE Systems has produced and delivered more than 1.25 million hard armor inserts since 1998, and to this day remains at the forefront of vital soldier protection equipment that keeps our warfighers safe.
Share on:
Suggested Items
Driving Innovation: Direct Imaging vs. Conventional Exposure
07/01/2025 | Simon Khesin -- Column: Driving InnovationMy first camera used Kodak film. I even experimented with developing photos in the bathroom, though I usually dropped the film off at a Kodak center and received the prints two weeks later, only to discover that some images were out of focus or poorly framed. Today, every smartphone contains a high-quality camera capable of producing stunning images instantly.
IBM, RIKEN Unveil First IBM Quantum System Two Outside of the U.S.
06/24/2025 | IBMIBM and RIKEN, a national research laboratory in Japan, today unveiled the first IBM Quantum System Two ever to be deployed outside of the United States and beyond an IBM Quantum Data Center.
Zero Defects International Partner, Epoch International, Announces Sale on Precision Control Systems
06/21/2025 | Zero Defects InternationalZero Defects International partner, EPOCH INTERNATIONAL, has announced significantly reduced overstock pricing for a large quantity of precision industrial motor, actuator, and sensor control systems.
INVISIO Secures SEK 145 Million Order for Dismounted Soldier Systems
06/21/2025 | INVISIOINVISIO has received a significant order from a new European customer for its dismounted soldier systems. Deliveries are to be completed during 2025.
MRSI Systems, LLC Files Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Suzhou LieQi in China
06/16/2025 | MRSI Systems, LLCMRSI Systems, LLC (a part of Mycronic Group), a global high-tech company that provides high precision production solution in electronics industry, filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Suzhou LieQi Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd. (SZLQ) with Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court for infringement of MRSI Systems’ patent related to die bonder (Case No. (2025) YUE03minchu No. 7154).