October 27, 2010 09:23 ET

QinetiQ Presents Latest Blast Mitigation Technology at AUSA

New Blast Seat Offers Improved Protection and Combat Readiness

RESTON, VA--(Marketwire - October 27, 2010) -  QinetiQ North America today announced the availability of its new BlastRide™ seat for military vehicles, the only seat on the market to successfully combine an active damping system with the latest shock absorption technology.

The BlastRide seat was developed by QinetiQ North America's Technology Solutions Group in response to concerns about the explosive and shock impacts that soldiers sustain while traveling in military vehicles. The system provides protection from both primary (blast) and secondary (slam down) impacts while reducing soldier fatigue during long convoys over rough terrain. 

"This is a great example of QinetiQ's ability to quickly respond to customer concerns," said Technology Solutions Group President JD Crouch. "The typical blast seat doesn't have this kind of capability, but as part of the continual effort to improve our products, we identified the need and quickly brought new technology to market within six months."

When a vehicle encounters a mine or improvised explosive device, the resulting blast causes a severe upward motion, followed by a downward motion that ends in vehicle impact with the ground. The new BlastRide seat protects soldiers from both events, reducing the 350 G force from the blast to less than 20 G in the soldier's spine and pelvis.

Each seat also includes ActiveShock LLC's active vehicle suspension technology to provide a smoother ride, reduce soldier fatigue and improve combat readiness. The system assesses impacts once per millisecond to isolate vibration and improve ride comfort. Other seat features include a quick release, four-point harness and an optional open-back seat design that enables soldiers to be properly restrained and keep rucksacks on their backs for faster deployment and greater maneuverability.

The media and the public are invited to try the BlastRide simulator at QinetiQ North America's booth at AUSA from October 25-27, 2010. Visit Booth 4145 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

For more information about QinetiQ North America's survivability technology, visit www.QinetiQ-NA.com.

About QinetiQ North America
QinetiQ North America delivers world-class technology, responsive services, and innovative solutions for global markets, focusing on US government and commercial customers. More than 6,000 QinetiQ North America engineers, scientists and other professionals deliver high quality products and services that leverage detailed mission knowledge and proven, reliable tools and methodologies to meet the rapidly changing demands of national defense, homeland security and information assurance customers. Headquartered in McLean, Virginia, QinetiQ North America had annual revenues of more than $1 billion in the fiscal year that ended March 31, 2010. QinetiQ North America is part of QinetiQ Group PLC (LSE: QQ). For more information, please visit www.QinetiQ-NA.com.