Source Vagabond Systems Ltd. has secured a multi-year contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to provide military personnel with integrated personal protection and load carriage systems
Source Vagabond announces that it has obtained a multi-year contract to supply an initial quantity of 9,000 personal protection and load carriage systems to the British Army. These systems are, among other things, based on the major dynamic weight distribution system VIRTUS, to enhance the operational efficiency of the deployed combatant. The contract is awarded for a firm duration of three years and can be extended by the UK Ministry of Defence until 2026. The first systems are to be delivered to the army in September 2015.
Major General Paul Jaques, Director of Land Equipment at Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), said: "DE&S is committed to supporting the armed forces by providing them with high-quality equipment, and this new personal protection and load carriage system meets that requirement. During real-time troop exercises, it performed excellently and represented a significant advancement over the equipment in service. The key element is the integrated nature of the system, which allows the soldier to operate longer and more effectively."
Source CEO Ronny Arazi said: "This is a pivotal contract for Source, and it reinforces our position as a world-class designer and manufacturer of tactical gear, including integrated protection and load carriage systems. We are thrilled to be able to provide our VIRTUS system to the British Army, following the most comprehensive and challenging competition possible."
Source founder and innovation officer Yoki Gill added: "The VIRTUS proposal offered a unique opportunity to work with a client who has the determination and real vision to break the mold when it comes to meeting infantry needs. The awarding of this contract demonstrates the level of expertise we have established within Source, in terms of enhancing human performance, in a field and combat environment."
Source DWD, Dynamic Weight Distribution System
The Dynamic Weight Distribution component of VIRTUS represents the state-of-the-art in performance in terms of alleviating the burden felt by the infantryman due to his personal protection equipment and load. Drawing on Source's 30 years of experience in integrating human factors into outdoor recreation and military markets, VIRTUS is the result of a three-year R&D program executed by Source, in collaboration with several major research institutes in Israel. It has been demonstrated that the VIRTUS system reduces the biomechanical, physiological, and cognitive stress experienced by the infantryman, improving his endurance and operational efficiency.
To secure the VIRTUS contract, Source was supported by its partners in the UK, including SEA Ltd, Cooneen Group Ltd, and its military agency Falco-P Ltd, managed by Charles Clee and its global partners, Revison Military BV, Barrday Inc., Ahidtex Ltd., and Wise-Pearl Ltd.