SKYDEX, Oshkosh Sign Multiple Agreements to Install Blast Mitigating Flooring in More Than 1,400 Vehicles

 

An Oshkosh Defense MAT-V being deployed to Afghanistan by a C-17 transport aircraft.

June 22, 2011 defpro.com

DENVER | SKYDEX Technologies, Inc. announced today that it has signed multiple agreements with Oshkosh Defense to supply its blast mitigating flooring systems for over 1,400 new Oshkosh M-ATV tactical vehicles. The agreements will be completed by September 2011.

The U.S. government has made SKYDEX convoy decking a standard part of the rear section of the M-ATV since production began in 2009. Oshkosh has subsequently outfitted the driver, gunner and commander sections in the front of existing M-ATVs with SKYDEX convoy decking.

SKYDEX has been manufacturing and installing its patented twin hemisphere blast mitigating flooring into armored vehicles since 2008. SKYDEX has worked with the major manufacturers of the MRAP, M-ATV and Double V-Hull vehicles to increase the blast survivability for the troops inside. Since 2008, SKYDEX has installed its products into more than 12,500 vehicles worldwide.

“SKYDEX products save lives. It’s that simple. Our blast mitigating flooring significantly increases survivability and decreases the chance of injury to the occupants of these vehicles during IED (improvised explosive devices) explosions, the major cause of casualties in Afghanistan,” said President and CEO Mike Buchen. “We are excited to be working with Oshkosh to provide the best possible protection for our troops.”

The SKYDEX Convoy Deck has already been installed in thousands of Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles in Afghanistan and Iraq, including the RG-31, Cougar and Oshkosh M-ATV. Earlier this year, General Dynamics Land Systems – Canada (GDLS-C) signed a multi-million-dollar agreement with SKYDEX to provide its Convoy Deck for 200 new Stryker Double V-Hull (DVH) vehicles deploying to Afghanistan. In addition, the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) signed an agreement to install the decking into 1,000 M-ATV vehicles.

Independent testing demonstrates that SKYDEX blast-mitigating technology greatly reduces the threat of lower leg injuries by diminishing the force of an IED blast reaching personnel aboard an armored vehicle. The testing demonstrated that during a typical blast force without the SKYDEX Convoy Deck, vehicle occupants face a 100 percent chance of injury. Adding SKYDEX decking drastically reduces the chance of injury to about 10 percent. Testing was done according to NATO’s STANAG 4569 protection standards and thresholds.