PITTSBURGH, Dec. 6, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- MSA Safety, Inc. (NYSE: MSA) today announced it was
awarded a $35 million contract with
the U.S. Air Force to provide its air base fire brigades with new
respiratory protective equipment. The contract covers the supply of
MSA's G1 Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) model along with
related facepieces, chemical warfare component (CWC) masks, and
supplied-air respirator (SAR) kits, which enable the SCBA to be
used as a longer-duration airline device. The units will replace
older model MSA air masks and will be used by U.S. Air Force fire
brigades operating at U.S. air bases around the world.
"We are incredibly proud the U.S. Air Force has once again put
their trust and confidence in the MSA brand," said Nish Vartanian, MSA Safety Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. "In developing the G1 breathing apparatus, our
goal was to create the most advanced and versatile SCBA platform
available; one that allows new technologies to be added
continuously to improve firefighter health and safety," he
concluded.
With more than 15 patents, the G1 SCBA platform includes several
breakthrough features, such as the elimination of electronic
components from the facepiece; a "Central Power" design that powers
the entire unit from a single, rechargeable battery; darkness- and
smoke-piercing "buddy lights" that provide visible indicators of
critical air supply data from any angle; and improved voice
amplification communications, all of which are standard G1
features.
From a comfort perspective, the G1's unique ergonomic design,
combined with an adjustable waist belt and wide shoulder straps,
allows SCBA weight to be distributed more evenly on a firefighter's
hips. Collectively, these features make the SCBA more comfortable
when worn for longer periods of time.
Production work in support of the U.S. Air Force units began
this fall at the company's Murrysville,
Pennsylvania manufacturing facility. The company expects
deliveries to continue through year-end and extend into
2024.
About MSA Safety
Established in 1914, MSA
Safety Incorporated is the global leader in the development,
manufacture and supply of safety products and software that protect
people and facility infrastructures. Many MSA products integrate a
combination of electronics, software, mechanical systems and
advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or
life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive product
line is used by workers around the world in a broad range of
markets, including fire service, the oil, gas and petrochemical
industry, construction, industrial manufacturing applications,
heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration,
utilities, mining and the military. MSA's core products include
self-contained breathing apparatus, fixed gas and flame detection
systems, portable gas detection instruments, industrial head
protection products, firefighter helmets and protective apparel,
and fall protection devices. With 2022 revenues of $1.5 billion, MSA employs approximately 5,000
people worldwide. The company is headquartered north of
Pittsburgh in Cranberry Township, Pa., and has manufacturing
operations in the United States,
Europe, Asia and Latin America. With more than 40
international locations, MSA realizes approximately half of its
revenue from outside North
America. For more information visit MSA's web site at
www.MSAsafety.com.
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SOURCE MSA Safety