Major Battelle Contract Win Will Provide Survival Expertise and Equipment to U.S. Special Operations Forces

NATICK, MA--(Marketwired - April 18, 2016) - Battelle's Natick Operations was recently awarded a $33-million Defense Systems Technical Area Task (DS TAT) contract from the U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Command to provide technical analysis and support for the Special Operations Forces Survival Support and Equipment Systems, Survivability team.

Specifically, the contract means Battelle will apply its deep technical expertise and history of developing unique equipment to provide individual and integrated personal protection for the Special Operations Operator.

The technical tasks will be performed over a five-year period and will include development, testing and fielding of mission enhancement capabilities. They cover wide areas of protection including: personal protective equipment, medical monitoring equipment, rescue and recovery equipment, body armor, protective eyewear, helmet systems and communication headsets.

Other specialty programs involve canine equipment systems, free-fall and airborne systems, less than lethal technologies and vertical assault equipment.

"Our main goal is centered on improving and enhancing the performance of the operator whether it's through integrated survivability components or integrated equipment systems," said Battelle Project Manager Lee Charpentier. "We have the specialized testing facilities, innovative mindset and the agility favored by the Special Operations Forces community."

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.