NEWMARKET, Ontario—AirBoss Defense Group has received two orders for the production of specialized boots that, combined, are worth up to $23 million.
On March 31, the division of AirBoss of America Corp. said it received one pact worth up to $15.1 million from the U.S. Department of Defense for an indefinite quantity and delivery of about 56,700 pairs of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and chemical Extreme (CBRNE) Cold Vapor Barrier Boots, commonly called bunny boots.
AirBoss said the contract runs for three years and deliveries of the boots will begin immediately.
In addition to that award, the Newmarket-based company said it received a $7.9 million order from the DOD for the manufacture and delivery of the firm's Molded AirBoss Lightweight Overboots as part of a contract previously awarded in September 2019. The follow-on order brings the maximum value of the original base contract for up to 6000,000 pairs of the overboots, the firm said.
ADG's Extreme Cold Vapor Barrier Boots are waterproof footwear used by the U.S. armed forces that can perform in the coldest weather conditions (from -20 to -65 degrees Fahrenheit), the firm noted.
They have a liner-free interior that retains warmth by layering up to one inch of wool and felt insulation between two vacuum-tight layers of rubber. The boots originally were designed during the Korean War for use by the military in extreme cold weather environments.
ADG's Molded AirBoss Lightweight Overboots were designed and developed to provide superior physical properties and protection compared to CBRNE boots that were in service at the time of their development, AirBoss said.
Made with injection-molded specialty polymer, an easy to decontaminate material that offers superior protection against CBRNE threats and integrates with currently fielded CBRNE suits, according to the company.
"We're extremely pleased to remain the trusted supplier of protective footwear for U.S. service members around the world, a recognition of our longstanding capability to provide specialized survivability solutions that outperform the most challenging environments," said Chris Bitsakakas, president and chief operating officer of AirBoss.