VIRTUS

Description

The Authority has a requirement for the ongoing supply, support and development of the VIRTUS integrated body armour, helmet and load carriage system. VIRTUS is the UK Armed Forces integrated Body Armour, Helmet and Load Carriage system based on the soldier. The Authority successfully introduced the original VIRTUS system into service in 2015 and it has been gradually rolled out to the Infantry and Dismounted Close Combat (DCC) users. The success of the VIRTUS system informed the decision taken in 2019 by all Front-Line Commands that VIRTUS would become the primary body armour, helmet and load carriage system for all personnel (both Regular and Reserve). The VIRTUS system focuses on 3 of the NATO soldier domains: survivability, mobility and sustainability. VIRTUS comprises of a head and torso sub-system with integrated load carriage and a Quick Release (QR) mechanism, to allow escape from water, confined space or to allow rapid access to the body in an emergency. The Single Statement of Need (SSN) for the VIRTUS system states: “The User shall be provided with a Torso and Head Sub-system that will provide personal protection, load carriage and will be the platform on which all other NATO capability domains for the Dismounted Close Combat (DCC) arena can be designed on, around or supported by, allowing the user to survive and operate effectively across the full spectrum of operating environments in order to achieve the mission.” Further detail on the VIRTUS system can be found, with instructional videos, at the following url: https://m.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLApZclWKcKb7pGgNy1aLHvqvO0y05Ecj8 For full details of this Opportunity, please refer to the Contract Notice attached below, which has also been published on the Find a Tender Service (FTS).