Article Posted on : - Sep 21, 2010

Vehicle Emergency Escape Windows. A BAE Systems photo

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA (BNS): BAE Systems has received up to $70 million contract modification to supply Vehicle Emergency Escape (VEE) Windows for new production M1151 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles (HMMWV).

The VEE Window is a life-saving safety enhancement system that provides soldiers with an alternate means of emergency escape in the event of an accident, rollover or other ballistic or blast event, explains Robert Houston, vice president and general manager of Readiness & Sustainment at BAE Systems.

The front ballistic windshield can be easily released and pushed out, allowing soldiers to exit the vehicle in only seconds.

With few moving parts, the VEE Window requires minimum maintenance, a very low life-cycle cost and can be installed in the field by trained Army and Marine maintenance crews.

With this contract the total number of orders for VEE Windows has risen to 39,000 with more than 16,000 kits already shipped for the up-armored M1114 and M1151 HMMWVs, the company said.

BAE Systems has partnered with Ibis Tek for the design and manufacturing of VEE Windows.