CHARLESTON, S.C., March 11, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- The CEO of Force Protection, Inc. (OTCBB:FRCP), Michael Watts, announced today that the Company has broadened its mission to address the problems of urban warfare:
"An increasing portion of our energy is now going into innovative approaches to vehicles designed to meet the needs of the urban war fighter," stated Mr. Watts. "Our new products are moving us beyond our traditional niche of mine protected vehicles into the larger market for vehicles that are well protected against the wide variety of threats found in an urban environment."
There is no front line in urban operations, which are usually conducted in populous areas. Traditional military vehicles that were originally optimized for fighting a conventional army in the open field have proven suboptimal against this unpredictable threat. Military operations in such places are complicated by restricted fields of view, buildings, easy concealment, booby traps, roadside bombs and snipers.
The unique demands inherent in urban warfare require vehicles that place an emphasis on all-around troop protection, mobility, maintainability, and flexibility. Indeed, almost all conflict areas in the world today involve urban operations. "This company is focusing on developing and marketing products that enable our troops and our allies to be effective in this environment," said Mr. Watts.
Last week, the company announced the Typhoon, a new Tactical Armored and Mine-Protected Vehicle optimized for urban warfare and low-intensity conflict. This adds to the Company's existing range of armored and mine protected tectical vehicles -- Cougar, Tempest, and Buffalo. The Buffalo, a highly advanced Mine Resistant Vehicle, was recently featured in Geraldo Rivera's tour across Iraq for Fox News. A DVD of this segment is available from Investor Relations.
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.
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.