Press Release

             Award Expands Work Related to Advanced Combat Helmet

PITTSBURGH, Feb. 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mine Safety Appliances Company (NYSE: MSA) today announced it has secured a $20.8 million contract from the U.S. Special Operations Command to produce communications components used in conjunction with the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), which MSA also produces. The award is in addition to $104 million in separate ACH contracts, which were awarded to MSA in 2003 and 2004.

The communications device produced by MSA is referred to as the Ranger System. Designed to integrate seamlessly with the ACH, the system facilitates hands-free communication and monitoring of radio or intercom transmissions. The system is unique in that it also features a "dual-communications" capability that allows soldiers to hear two separate radio communications or a combination of radio and intercom transmissions.

The basic design for the Ranger System was developed by Sordin AB of Sweden, which MSA acquired in 2004. "This latest contract builds upon design and manufacturing synergies we anticipated with the combination of the capabilities of MSA Sordin and MSA Gallet, which we previously acquired, and of the existing electronics know-how of the MSA Instrument Division," said MSA Chairman and CEO John T. Ryan III. "What MSA Sordin brings to MSA is leadership in developing advanced and electronic hearing protective devices. In addition to helping MSA meet the needs of the military, we expect this core competency will produce equivalent levels of hearing-related product innovation to our customers in the construction, law enforcement and fire service markets."

The communications systems covered under this latest contract are used by U.S. Special Forces units, Army Rangers and ground troops supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq as well as Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. The contract also covers production of high-noise headsets and spare parts.

Production work for the Ranger System will be performed at MSA's Cranberry Township, Pa., facility and is expected to be completed by May, 2006.

Established in 1914, MSA is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of sophisticated safety products that protect people's health and safety. Sophisticated safety products typically integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company's comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in the fire service, homeland security, construction and other industries, as well as the military. Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection instruments, head protection, respirators and thermal imaging cameras. Since the company's founding, MSA products for the military have been used in two world wars, as well as Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Afghanistan and Iraq. The company also provides a broad range of consumer and contractor safety products through retail channels. These products are marketed and sold under the MSA Safety Works brand. MSA has annual sales of more than $800 million, manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Europe, and more than 30 international locations. Additional information is available on the company's Web site at http://www.msanet.com .

SOURCE  MSA
    -0-                             02/01/2005
    /CONTACT:  Mark Deasy of MSA, +1-412-967-3357/
    /Web site:  http://www.msanet.com /
    (MSA)

CO:  MSA, U.S. Special Operations Command; Advanced Combat Helmet; Sordin AB
ST:  Pennsylvania, District of Columbia
IN:  ARO
SU:  CON

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3391 02/01/2005 08:30 EST http://www.prnewswire.com