BAE Systems wins $43 million contract from US DoD for production of soldier equipment

BAE Systems has received $43 million in orders from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) for production of Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment (MOLLE) Core Rifleman sets, Ruck sets and components. MOLLE is the primary field equipment system developed by and for the U.S. Army and each set incorporates a load-bearing vest, pockets, backpacks and a hydration system. The MOLLE system is a highly adaptable platform that enables soldiers to carry equipment and supplies critical to their mission. “The MOLLE system minimizes unnecessary injury to our armed forces personnel by allowing weight to be carried more effectively and safely through a system that better distributes load on the user’s torso,” said Joe Coltman, vice president of Personnel Protection Systems for BAE Systems. “The MOLLE system continues to be evaluated by government customers against other load carriage systems and continues to demonstrate it is the premier load carriage system in use today”. The $43 million DLA orders are part of a $374 million multi-year contract awarded to BAE Systems in June 2008. To date, approximately $171 million of that contract has been obligated. Production for MOLLE equipment will be completed at facilities located in Arizona, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Tennessee with deliveries scheduled for completion by November 2009.