MANASSAS PARK, Va. — Defense Holdings, Inc.® (DHi®) which recently moved its headquarters to Manassas Park, VA has been awarded three new contracts from the U. S. Department of Defense (DoD) and BAE Systems, Land Systems OMC, South Africa totaling more than $2.6M for 8,141 additional AfterGlow® Brand Photoluminescent (PL) Emergency Egress Lighting^TM Kits.

These kits are used by U.S. and foreign military forces in Mine Resistant, Ambush Protected (MRAP) and similar vehicles to ensure the safety of Warfighters’ in an emergency situation. These kits will contain over one million feet, or almost 193 miles of photoluminescent marking film. Since January 2009, DHi has been contracted for almost 23,000 kits, providing over 535 miles of photoluminescent marking film for the Warfighters. The U.S. military’s need for these kits is so critical that the highest national priority rating has been given.

MRAP vehicles are armored fighting vehicles designed to survive IED (Improvised Explosive Device) attacks, mines and ambushes. DoD determined that MRAP exits and escape hatches needed to be positively marked or illuminated to aid emergency egress. After evaluation, DHi’s Emergency Egress Lighting^TM Safety Kits were selected by DoD for rapid field installation inside the troop compartment and driver/passenger sections of all MRAP vehicles in order to provide the Warfighter with simple, highly reliable emergency markings. AfterGlow® photoluminescent products identify locations of door latches/openings, grab bars and safety and emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers in the absence of daylight or electrically powered lighting. DoD messages to MRAP operators identified DHi as the sole producer of the MRAP PL products, identified the National Stock Numbers (NSNs) for the kits and their components, and referenced DHi’s AfterGlowDirect MRAP photoluminescent materials web store for ordering.

Emergency Egress PL Lighting Kits^TM consist of high-performance, rechargeable, long-lasting, adhesive and/or magnetic-backed photoluminescent film strips and other items that provide a versatile, cost-effective, fail-safe glow-in-the-dark, emergency evacuation capability that could help save Warfighters’ lives. Kits are available for a number of types of MRAP vehicles and are being used on certain other combat and tactical vehicles as well including some from BAE Systems. DHi is working with OEMs and regulatory agencies to expand the use of its photoluminescent tapes, paints and related PL safety products to freight and passenger rail, commercial aviation, and passenger and school bus applications.

Rich Martin, DHi’s President and CEO, states “Defense Holdings, Inc. was called upon by DoD to provide a quick solution for a non-electric fail-safe illumination of exit hatches and other emergency equipment to ensure that the egress path is visible to possibly disoriented soldiers in the event of an emergency situation. Our PL materials have been demonstrated to not affect the use of current generations of Night Vision Goggles. Though these were designed for use on MRAPs, we have learned they are being used on other types of vehicles as well. Warfighters tell us that these kits are both easy to install and highly effective. DHi is honored that DoD and BAE Systems have entrusted DHi with providing a solution to this critical safety issue so that we can contribute in even a small way to the protection of our nation’s Warfighters.”

DHi has pioneered the photoluminescent safety product market and is currently one of the largest installers of PL safety products in the United States. DHi’s AfterGlow Brand photoluminescent safety products are installed throughout the Pentagon and in many other locations around the country. The International Building Code and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards which serve as models for local codes were updated in 2009, and the General Services Administration has also recently updated its standards, and now mandates the use of photoluminescent exit signs and safety markings for hallways and stairwells. DHi provides one of the few safety-grade photoluminescent paints certified for use in building applications.

Our products are also installed on a number of US Navy and Coast Guard ships and are being used extensively in the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). DHi developed a photoluminescent aircraft paint (NSN: 8010-01-558-3002) for the Navy to use on aircraft propellers on carriers. The paint, which is applied to the propeller tips, produces a glowing green ring visible from tens of feet away and heightens the awareness of personnel working around these propellers in low-light situations. Since this paint was been adopted, there have been no flight deck personnel killed or injured as a result of contacting spinning propellers. This paint has now been adopted for use on Hartzell constant-rpm propellers and some helicopter main and tail rotors. DHi is also working with OEMs to quality its AfterGlow® Brand PL safety products for a variety of aviation applications.

Defense Holdings, Inc. (DHi), a service-disabled, veteran-owned, small business, is a technology leader specializing in the defense and homeland security markets with corporate headquarters in Manassas Park, VA, and production facilities in Trenton, NC. DHi is one of 60 small businesses that have joined the EPA’s U.S. Climate Leaders Program. DHi has been ISO 9001 registered since 2003.

DHi works with Government agencies, universities and industry to put timely new technologies into the hands of those needing them.