Leahy Announces
Army’s New $28 M. Helmet Contract
With Newport Firm

(THURSDAY, Nov. 13) – Sen. Patrick Leahy Thursday announced that the U.S. Army has placed a $28 million contract with Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) Gallet plant in Newport, Vt., to produce its lifesaving, lightweight helmet.  Leahy, who worked to lay the groundwork for the contract, is a senior member of the Defense Subcommittee of the Appropriations Committee, which handles the Senate’s work in writing the annual defense budget bills.

MSA Gallet, formerly CGF Helmets, manufactures a strong lightweight helmet which offers U.S. troops considerably more protection with greater comfort.  The helmet, the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), has been credited with saving several lives in the recent military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.  They are used by Special Operations and elite airborne forces working throughout the world in the war on terrorism and will soon be available to many more soldiers in the general forces.

MSA Gallet President William Lambert said the contract for 80,000 ACHs will increase production at the plant. “Today, there is no greater need than to provide the best personal protective gear available to America's fighting forces who face continuing acts of terrorism in Iraq, Afghanistan and indeed around the world,” Lambert said in a statement.  “Nearly all of MSA's 89 years of history is intertwined with the needs of our nation's military and now, as in the past, we welcome the opportunity to serve one of our most valuable resources -- that of the American men and women in uniform.  We are thankful for the support and efforts of Senator Patrick Leahy and the productive partnership with him that has been a catalyst for expanded use and availability of the ACH within the U.S. Army.”

In a statement announcing the contract, Leahy said, “These helmets are priceless for the families and friends of soldiers serving on these battlefields.  Vermonters are proud to produce them, and we also appreciate what this work means to our families in Newport and other communities.”

In 2002, Leahy helped facilitate a contract by the U.S. Army for 2900 TC-2000 helmets from MSA Gallet, worth $1.2 million.  To complement the helmet contract, the Army also placed a 2002 $2.8 million contract for microphones, transmitters and headsets.  Also in 2002, Leahy helped secure a $5 million contract between the Army and MSA Gallet to develop a next-generation helmet, still under development. 

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