Allen-Vanguard Corp. wins a $15.3-million deal for its new Commander Blast Seats through its partnership with the Canadian arm of General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS). The company says it is delivering 2,178 “blast seats” for the Stryker armoured combat vehicle, which is made by GDLS, to protect occupants from explosions. “This is a very significant win for our new line of proprietary blast seat products...” says Allen-Vanguard CEO David Luxton. “Increased vehicle armour has been saving vehicles but not necessarily the crew. Extensive programs to upgrade or replace many types of military vehicles are now focusing heavily on survivability of the occupants, and blast-absorbing seats are a key part of the equation.” Allen-Vanguard expects to begin delivering the seats in the second quarter of fiscal 2009.