FPED IV Genesis

The bombing of Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia on 25 June 1996 displayed the need for continual vigilance and protection against terrorist forces intent on harming United States personnel and interests. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff directed the Services to investigate commercial-off- the-shelf (COTS) solutions to force protections needs. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology (OUSD(A&T) tasked the United States Army Product Manager, Physical Security Equipment (PM-PSE)  Office to coordinate and facilitate a Force Protection Equipment Demonstration (FPED) that would showcase and demonstrate force protection equipment.

As a result, the first FPED was conducted at Quantico Marine Corps Base, VA during the period 15-18 September 1997. Building on the success of the first demonstration, FPED II was conducted at Quantico Marine Corps Base, VA 3-6 May 1999 and FPED III was held 8-10 May 2001. FPED III attracted over 400 equipment vendors and manufacturers who displayed over 1400 varying items of force protection equipment. FPED III was attended by nearly 7000 persons from DoD, federal, state, local, and foreign governments. Because of continuing concerns of terrorist activity, constant progressive advancements in technology aimed at reducing vulnerabilities to terrorist attacks, the continuing need for enhanced force protection equipment, and the success of the demonstrations, a fourth demonstration will be conducted, FPED IV.

The dates for FPED IV are 6-8 May 2003.