CARROLLTON, Texas, Sept. 4, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Critical Solutions International (CSI) announced today that the Turkish Army has made a purchase of the two-operator Husky Mark III vehicle to lead its route clearance patrols and infrastructure security. This is Turkey's first acquisition of the Husky and represents a critical enhancement in the mine and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detection, interrogation, and clearance capabilities of the Turkish military. The governments of Spain and Australia have also recently acquired and deployed Husky route clearance vehicles in the past year, highlighting the increasing international necessity for a robust solution for the enduring IED threat.
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This order includes four Husky vehicles equipped with several mission equipment packages, including the Fassi M20AL Lightweight Composite Interrogation Arm, the Rocket Propelled Grenade Net protection system (Q-Net®) from QinetiQ-NA, and a 360° situational awareness camera system jointly developed by CSI and Torc Robotics. This contract was awarded to IPA Defence of Turkey, the distributor for CSI and its strategic partner DCD Protected Mobility, a division of DCD (Pty) Ltd. of South Africa.
Threat Interrogation. Emergence of Semi-Autonomy. Husky Family of Vehicles.
Prompted by the need to combine enhanced detection and interrogation capability on a single vehicle platform, the Husky MK III landmine and IED detection vehicle is emerging as family of vehicles and trailers to provide a wide array of sensors. The addition of a 360° situational camera system to the Husky is the initial foundation of CSI's planned phased introduction of a semi-autonomous capability. Husky vehicles have survived more than 7,000 IED and mine explosions in combat without a single operator blast fatality. The U.S. Army recognized this life-saving vehicle design with an Innovation of the Year Award for 2010.
"The threat of IEDs is not going away. The IED is also not limited to recent US theaters of combat operations and international militaries are increasingly recognizing the need to have this life-saving advanced detection capability," said Mike McCormack, CEO of CSI. "By selecting the two-operator Husky vehicle, the Turkish Government has made a significant investment in saving lives and enhancing the capability of the Turkish Army. The two-operator Husky vehicle, equipped with the Fassi Interrogation Arm, Q-Net® and a 360° camera system provides the essential technology for threat detection and interrogation and will help protect the lives of service members and civilians. We are honored to have been awarded this contract and are looking forward to working with the Government of Turkey and the Turkish Army."
About Critical Solutions International (CSI) – CSI is a world leader in the development, delivery, and service support of blast-protected vehicles with land mine, improvised explosive device, and unexploded ordinance detection capability. An essential supplier of the U.S. countermine and humanitarian demining community, CSI's products lead the way in the safe detection and identification of hidden threats. For more information about CSI, please visit www.c-s-i.com.
About DCD Protected Mobility – DCD Protected Mobility is a global leader in the design, manufacture and support of special purpose tactical wheeled vehicles, providing innovative and sustainable combat proven landward protected mobility products and solutions, through international partnerships, benefiting all stake-holders. Please visit www.dcd.co.za.
About IPA Defence Systems – IPA Defence aims to achieve a global competitive position in the defense industry sector, was established in 2009 and upon signing successful agreements with globally leading brands in the defense sector, has gained an important place in the European defense industry. They continue to provide services in the fields of optical systems, network-video, mine searching and detection GPR, manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, armored vehicle systems, firearms, ballistic protection, and ammunition. Please visit www.ipadefence.com.
