MSA announced today that it has been awarded a contract valued at just over $7 million to produce Advanced Combat Helmets for the U.S. Army. The contract represents a follow-on purchase of ballistic helmets under a five-year indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract with the Army.

MSA has been producing ballistic helmets for the U.S. Government since 2002, and this latest award will ensure continued production of Advanced Combat Helmets at MSA into 2009.

""The Advanced Combat Helmet has been an important element of our military business since 2002, when MSA first partnered with the Army in its development,"" said William Lambert, MSA President and CEO. ""More importantly, it has been an effective tool for protecting our fighting men and women in uniform throughout the world. We're proud of our association with the Army on this front, and pleased that through this latest award we'll have the opportunity to continue serving the Army in this capacity.""

The Advanced Combat helmet incorporates a lightweight design that offers soldiers advanced ballistic protection with greater comfort, stability and situational awareness. Since adopted by the Army as the standard of issue, the ACH has been credited with saving numerous lives in military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.

MSA also provides ballistic helmets to special branches of the U.S. Department of Defense, military forces in Europe, and the Canadian Military.

Established in 1914, MSA is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of safety products that protect people's health and safety. Many MSA products typically integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in the fire service, oil, gas and petrochemical industry, homeland security, construction, mining and other industries, as well as the military. Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection instruments, head protection, ballistic body armor, fall protection devices and thermal imaging cameras. The company also provides a broad range of consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels. These products are marketed and sold under the MSA Safety Works brand.