Amsafe

AmSafe Awarded 5-Year Contract for X-Net Vehicle Restraint Systems

Posted: June 20, 2007

QinetiQ selects AmSafe to provide device to military and law enforcement organizations globally.

PHOENIX - AmSafe® Inc., a leading provider of safety and securement products to the aviation, defense and ground transportation markets, today announced its AmSafe Bridport business unit has received a five-year contract from QinetiQ under which AmSafe will supply the X-Net®, an advanced vehicle-arresting device designed to enable military and law enforcement personnel to safely and effectively halt moving vehicles. The contract, worth up to $6 million, establishes AmSafe as the exclusive worldwide manufacturer for all new X-Net systems.

"Our expertise in specialty materials and in the design and manufacture of restraint systems lends itself well to the performance of this contract, which should yield thousands of systems per year," said Robert McIlwraith, executive vice president of AmSafe. "Our partnership with QinetiQ on the X-Net project has demonstrated our ability to produce a technically sophisticated product in the volumes required by the end user, and we are quite pleased to have received this latest order."

This new contract comes after QinetiQ entered into a five-year agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense. The X-Net has been used by the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps at check points to isolate vehicle entry to restricted areas. Its success in military applications has prompted law enforcement agencies worldwide to consider its adoption, as the X-Net can also allow police and border patrol authorities to stop vehicles and prevent dangerous and costly high-speed chase situations.

"QinetiQ chose to partner with AmSafe given the company's long history of producing innovative safety-critical restraint systems that perform under intense conditions," said Fiona Lewinton, managing director of QinetiQ Land Division. "AmSafe's manufacturing expertise will provide X-Net customers with immediate results for a variety of security and vehicle restraint needs. We are proud to be associated with AmSafe and our approach is fully consistent with the UK MoD's Defense Industrial Strategy."

The X-Net is an advanced safety and security product that features Dyneema® netting fitted with two rows of barbed spikes. It enhances the efforts of military and law enforcement personnel by providing them with the ability to stop a variety of moving vehicles. Placed in the direct path of a vehicle, the uniquely designed X-Net impedes further vehicle motion after contact. As the net is pulled under the vehicle, it slows wheel rotation, causing rapid deceleration and effects a controlled stop. As a result of this containment, vehicles are fully arrested at a rate similar to an emergency stop, which greatly enhances occupant safety and minimizes the risk that a driver loses control of the vehicle. The X-Net system is man portable, can be deployed in seconds and causes minimal damage to target vehicles.


About QinetiQ
QinetiQ (pronounced ki net ik as in 'kinetic energy') is a leading international defense and security technology business. In today's world the challenges faced by governments to detect, identify and respond to both defense and homeland security threats requires the most advanced technical capabilities science can offer. QinetiQ was formed in July 2001 from the UK Government's Defense Evaluation & Research Agency (DERA). It gives customers access to the output of over 70 years of national investment at the forefront of technology. Today, the group has grown to offer its global customer base technology rich services and solutions, from an expanding base of leading capabilities in both Europe and North America. From integrating legacy weapons systems with state of the art sensors and software for the British MoD, to fielding advanced robotic systems for the U.S. Department of Defense; providing port security products for the US Department of Homeland Security, or designing advanced security systems for many computer systems, QinetiQ is committed to delivering brilliant solutions to important problems.

About AmSafe Bridport
AmSafe Bridport is the world's leading provider of air cargo restraint solutions. Its products are recognized as the benchmark for cargo restraint systems. The leading global supplier of palletized cargo nets and cargo net accessories, AmSafe Bridport is also the world's largest manufacturer of 9g barrier nets. With global operations manned by teams of specialist engineers, AmSafe Bridport's expertise, experience and breadth of capability are truly unrivalled.

About AmSafe AmSafe Inc. and its affiliated companies are world leaders in safety and securement products for the aerospace, defense, and ground transportation industries. AmSafe's innovative products can be found on virtually every commercial aircraft in the world and include seatbelts, restraints, airbags, cargo and barrier nets, tie-downs and cabin interior textiles, just to name a few. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, AmSafe operates manufacturing and service facilities across the globe and is committed to providing quality products and timely, cost effective solutions to customers worldwide. For more information, visit www.amsafe.com.


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AmSafe Bridport

The Court, Bridport
Dorset DT6 3QU
United Kingdom
Phone: 44 (0)1308 456666
Fax: 44 (0)1308 456605

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