CHARLESTON, S.C., March 9, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Force Protection, Inc. (OTCBB:FRCP) announced today that its flagship Buffalo vehicle was the subject of an article in the European edition of `Stars and Stripes' on Sunday, January 4, 2004. `Stars and Stripes' is the daily newspaper distributed overseas to U.S. military personnel and their family members.
The article describes the use of the Buffalo in the field and states that " ... Army Reserve troops have taken an Army side project to the forefront in the military's efforts to counter the threat of improvised explosive devices, or IEDs. Insurgents aiming to demoralize the U.S.-led coalition often stage ambushes with crude explosives hidden among debris along convoy routes or buried near roads. The platoon of combat engineers, who had been working odd jobs in Kuwait, are now sweeping major convoy routes in central Iraq to clear highway shoulders and medians."
The article states that the Buffalo is being used in conjunction with the Meerkat, which carries a mine detection sensor array. According to the article, the operation caught the attention of top brass. Lt. Col. Kent Savre recommended that the Army supply one system to each division in Iraq. Three weeks after filing the request, a half-dozen more sets were shipped out. "I've never seen anything like this in my 19 years in the Army," said Savre. "The senior leaders saw the threat and immediately bought more systems."
The article is available online at http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=&article=18869&archive=true.
To see video of such a vehicle clearing landmines, visit www.forceprotectioninc.com.
The Buffalo and its role in Iraq were recently featured by Geraldo Rivera on Fox News. A DVD of this segment is available upon request from Investor Relations.
TSG's Buffalo is a highly advanced Mine Resistant Vehicle, with multiple mission configurations and specially designed field reparability. The 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, side blasts, anti-personnel mines, and multiple anti-tank mines. It provides blast protection under both the wheels and the 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.
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 and hostile fire. These vehicles are typically used to transport personnel safely in areas infested with landmines and for the actual removal of landmines. 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.