BusinessBAE enters U.S. critical infrastructure protection market
British defense Giant BAE Systems recently announced its plans to enter the U.S. critical infrastructure security market
The company plans to leverage the same technologies that it has developed to protect armored vehicles to strengthen the U.S. network of infrastructure including buildings, bridges, and pipelines.
To help penetrate the U.S. market, BAE has signed an exclusive agreement to partner with Composite Technologies of New York. The two companies have jointly created the Infratection Solutions line of products and services.
“The threat of terrorism made our nation much more aware of our vulnerabilities, especially in regards to critical infrastructure,” said John Kelly, the vice president of business winning at BAE Systems Land and Armaments. “While protecting crucial infrastructure is challenging, our Infratection Solutions business has developed unique and effective blast and impact resistant armor solutions specifically engineered to reinforce and strengthen key buildings, bridges and pipelines.”
“Together, with Composite Technologies, we’ve developed armor solutions adaptable to numerous applications using technologies and materials previously reserved only for military applications,” he said.
According to a press release, Composite Technologies was integral in translating BAE’s explosive-resistant materials expertise to the infrastructure protection market.
“While BAE Systems has significant expertise in developing blast resistant vehicles, Composite Technologies brings a vast knowledge of and proven experience in the design, research, testing and development of products for the infrastructure industry,” said Bill Higbie, the president of Composite Technologies.
BAE has already submitted a bid for a major, multi-million dollar infrastructure contract, and if it wins, could begin work on implementing Infratection Solutions this year.
