The VEE Window, by BAE Systems and IbisTek, was first designed three years ago, and the first kit was installed in Iraq in January, said Bob Maixner, program manager for BAE’s armament systems.

Designed to provide increased escape capability, particularly in the event of a rollover or an accident, the VEE Window was tested for survivability, frontal impact and ballistics before it was fielded, Maixner said.

The window, weighing in at about 150 pounds, is in production right now, and the current contract calls for BAE to ship more than 12,000 kits (two windows per vehicle) into theater, Maixner said. The plan is to outfit about 1,500 Humvees a month with these kits, and work should be completed by October.

The design is simple but life-saving, he said.

“You pull a pin, turn a handle and you’re out,” he said, adding that the company is now working on prototypes of the VEE for three variants of the MRAP, the RG-33, Caiman and Max Pro.

“It’s a great capability,” said Maixner, whose brother is serving in Iraq. “There’s guys in theater right now that need this.”