Rumsfeld Town Hall Highlights Need for Armored Vehicles - Force Protection Ready to Answer Call
Monday December 13, 9:15 am ET
LADSON, S.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 13, 2004--The urgent need to protect soldiers from landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by using vehicles of the sort produced by Force Protection, Inc. (OTCBB:FRCP - News), the leading U.S. provider of mine- and blast-protected vehicles, was underscored by U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld during a visit to Kuwait Wednesday.
The Ladson-based company produces vehicles that integrate state-of-the-art mine and ballistic protection technology with a fully enclosed v-shaped hull design which angles to deflect explosions away from the troops inside. This hull is joined with quality American automotive components, providing an efficient way to field the vehicles and enabling them to be repaired in the field.
"Force Protection's vehicles fill the critical need of protecting our troops from the threat of land mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs)," said CEO Gale Aguilar. "Modern warfare has changed. Our armed forces are fighting in occupied, high-threat areas in which they are attacked on all sides. They need equipment specifically designed to keep them safe in this type of situation. Force Protection provides the solution."
Force Protection vehicles are currently in active operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo, and the company's rate of production continues to expand to meet demand, producing two classes of mine- and blast-protected vehicles.
The Buffalo is a mine clearance vehicle that has recently been approved by the Pentagon to be part of two test "hunter/killer" teams of lead convoy vehicles designated to detect and remove mines and IEDs. The cutting-edge technology of the Buffalo employs steel wheels and disc rollers, enabling it to withstand mine blasts and ensuring that other vehicles can safely follow. More than 20 Buffalo vehicles will be in Iraq by the end of 2004. The Army recently ordered 15 more Buffalos for an estimated $11.8 million.
The Cougar H series is a family of medium-size mine-protected vehicles that can be supplied in four-wheel or six-wheel models. The vehicles can be configured for a wide range of tasks including troop transport, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), command and control, reconnaissance and lead convoy vehicle. The Cougar is being used by the Marines in Iraq.
For more information, visit forceprotectioninc.com. |
