CHARLESTON, S.C., March 16, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Force Protection, Inc. (OTCBB:FRCP) announced today that its Technical Solutions Group (TSG) subsidiary attended the UXO/Countermine Forum 2004 in St. Louis.
Nearly 1,000 professionals attended the last UXO/Countermine Forum. This year is the 10th anniversary of the event, an internationally recognized technical conference that focuses on important and timely military sustainment issues in the UXO and countermine arenas. Attendees come from the military services as well as state and federal agencies, policymaking organizations, private sector firms, and academic institutions. The Forum assembles some of the best researchers, developers, policy-makers, program planners and deliverers to showcase cutting edge UXO and countermine technologies, ideas, programs and partnerships. The most difficult challenges in military sustainment are addressed in technical presentations, exhibits, speeches, and networking events. For more information about the UX)/Countermine Forum 2004, please visit http://www.theforum2004.com.
TSG's Buffalo was prominently displayed in an outdoor exhibit at the forum. The Buffalo is a highly advanced Mine Resistant Vehicle, with multiple mission configurations and specially designed field reparability. This design mates monocoque capsule protection with the latest in American automotive technology to produce a vehicle with superior blast protection, visibility, load carrying capacity, interior space and parts availability. The unique technology of the Buffalo protects it against small arms fire, multiple anti-tank mines, and smaller anti-personnel mines, with blast protection under the wheels and centerline. In the event of damage from a large anti-tank mine; the Buffalo can be repaired in the field in four hours or less. Its unique design and powerful protection against occupant casualties make it one of the most advanced military vehicles in the world.
The presentation of the Buffalo included discussion and demonstration of its many attributes as well as a full demonstration of the range of use of its articulated arm, a robotic tool that is used to unearth and remove landmines while providing maximum protection to its operators. TSG President Garth Barrett, who attended the show, remarked, "A number of speakers and conference attendees have been commenting on the Buffalo and its capabilities. A great deal of time was dedicated to its demonstration, and in many ways it seemed to be a primary focus of the outdoor exhibits." The Buffalo was recently featured in Geraldo Rivera's tour across Iraq for Fox News. A DVD of this segment is available from Investor Relations. In addition, the Bufallo was featured in the European edition of Stars and Stripes. That article is available online at http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=&article=18869&archive=true.
To see video of a TSG vehicle clearing landmines, please visit www.forceprotectioninc.com.
About Force Protection, Inc.
Force Protection, Inc. manufactures and distributes vehicles that protect and save lives and property. Its subsidiary, Technical Solutions Group, Inc., (TSG) manufactures and markets military vehicles that are protected against landmines, hostile fire, and Improvised Explosive Devices. The vehicles are manufactured in Ladson, SC, where TSG is based. For more information visit www.forceprotection.net. Recently, Technical Solutions Group was highlighted on CNBC's Business Center. A video clip of the segment is available at: www.forceprotectioninc.com. Contact: Investor Relations, Force Protection, Inc., 714-903-0025, investorrelations@forceprotectioninc.com or visit www.forceprotectioninc.com.
Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Technical complications that may arise could prevent the prompt implementation of any strategically significant plan(s) outlined above. The company cautions that these forward looking statements are further qualified by other factors including, but not limited to those, set forth in the company's Form 10-KSB filing and other filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (available at www.sec.gov). The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any statements in this release, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.