Global Seating Systems (GSS), US pioneers of blast-resistant seating for military vehicles, recently established GSS Australia, in an effort to expand the Australian home market capability to develop and manufacture a range of military seating for Australian military use, and subsequently for export.
David Kiernan, managing director of GSS Australia, stated that while the Australian Army has long been a leader in worldwide peacekeeping and peace support operations, challenging conditions on today’s battlefields have re-emphasised the importance of personnel survivability and warfighter welfare. GSS’s unique approach to military vehicle seating will save lives and reduce injuries from improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rocket attacks. In addition, Kiernan said: “GSS troop seats actually minimise troop exhaustion and strain injuries attributed to prolonged vehicle operation in harsh, treacherous, rugged terrain.”
GSS Australia is committed to providing customised solutions for Australian fighting vehicles and thin-skinned transport vehicles. Based on years of experience, proven battlefield performance, and working closely with the Australian land forces, GSS is committed to improving vehicle effectiveness, reducing injuries, and ultimately saving lives. Simultaneously, GSS plans to work hand in hand with Australian industry to grow the export market for military vehicles.
“GSS Australia is committed to producing a product, un-encumbered by international trade restrictions, and which can be exported by Australian industry without hindrance, in accordance with Australian law,” Mr Kiernan further said. “We are committed to working with the Australian Defence Force, the Defence Science & Technology Organisation (DSTO), and Australian industry to demonstrate how our engineering and design capabilities, military seating, and other unique vehicle safety products will save the lives of diggers doing their duty in zones of conflict around the world.”
GSS Australia is a New South Wales-registered company, and will share manufacturing facilities with Styleride in the Brisbane area. Styleride is already a leader in the manufacture of commercial vehicle seating.
GSS Australia will exhibit at the October 2010 AUSA (Association of the US Army) show in Washington, DC, and at the Land Warfare Conference 2010, being held on 15-19 November 2010, at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Brisbane.