Bae Systems has been awarded a $12.5m contract to provide 1000 emergency escape windows and 2000 spare window panels for US Army vehicles.

The Vehicle Emergency Escape (VEE) Window kits will be used on M1114 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles.

The VEE Window allows crews of HMMWVs to remove ballistic windshields in less than five seconds and quickly exit the vehicle during an emergency such as a rollover or accident.

The windows will be delivered to Army personnel in November, BAE says.

BAE is also exploring VEE Window applications for other tactical and armoured vehicles for use by the Army and the US Marine Corps.