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Wilmington MA: Textron Systems has announced plans to reveal its Tactical Rocket Propelled Grenade Airbag Protection System (TRAPS) at the AUSA Annual Meeting in Washington, DC in October 2006. TRAPS is among the products that were added to the company's overall product portfolio as a result of the acquisition of Innovative Survivability Technologies by Textron Systems in July 2006.
The TRAPS airbag protection system is designed to defeat Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) commonly used by insurgent operations against military convoys, convoy protectors and bases. The TRAPS technology features a simple radar device and modified commercial airbag system to protect vehicles, soldiers and guard posts, without risk of injury to dismounted soldiers or non-combatants within the vicinity of RPG attacks and explosions.
According to Rod Beach, general manager of operations, Textron Systems, “As the battlespace continues to shift into more urban settings, the need for close-in protection is greater than ever. There is an on-going and significant problem with RPGs. TRAPS is a safe, proven and cost-effective RPG defeat system that is readily available to protect personnel and vehicles against sudden and lethal attacks by rocket propelled devices.”
Funding for the TRAPS RPG Defeat System in the amount of $3.5M was provided in 2005 by the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Quick Reaction Contract Office, and administered by the U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC). An additional $3M has been provided by Congress in the FY 07 Defense Appropriations Bill.
TRAPS will be on display in the Textron Systems Booth #1602 in Hall 3 of the Washington, DC Convention Center, along with several products representing the company's Marine and Land, HR Textron and Wilmington, Massachusetts operations.
