Simula Says Products Are Compatible With Possible New Federal Safety Standards

    TEMPE, Ariz.--Jan. 31, 2003--Simula Inc. (AMEX:SMU) said that widely discussed possible new federal automotive safety regulations may expand the market for the Company's products and technologies that provide side-impact protection. On Wednesday, January 30, The New York Times reported that proposals under consideration by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) may require automakers to equip future vehicles with systems similar to the type currently produced by Simula.
    Simula pioneered the roof-mounted side impact airbags, and currently manufactures and markets the Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS(R)) and Advanced Head Protection Systems (AHPS).
    On Wednesday, January 15, The Wall Street Journal similarly reported that possible new regulations are being considered to provide better occupant protection in SUVs and other vehicles for roll-overs and side impacts.
    Simula's head protection systems have consistently scored well in side impact crash tests run by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) (www.iihs.org) and the European New Car Assessment Program (EuroNCAP) (www.euroncap.com). The BMW X5 SUV-type vehicle, which is equipped with Simula's Inflatable Tubular Structure (ITS), has been tested by both agencies and received high marks in side impact crash tests.
    Ford's new Range Rover was also tested by the EuroNCAP agency. In the side impact test, the impact-force readings gained from the crash test dummy were among the lowest recorded in such a test by EuroNCAP, which reported that "the head-protecting tube airbag (ITS) worked well to protect the driver from severe injury in the side impact and the pole-impact test."
    The popular BMW MINI Cooper is equipped with Simula's Advanced Head Protection System (AHPS), and was also recently put through a side impact pole test to assess the benefits of the optional head airbag. The AHPS worked well in preventing the driver's head from hitting objects outside the car, which is often the case in an SUV/passenger vehicle type crash.
    "Crash tests such as these, along with documented real world life-saving evidence, show Simula's next generation side impact head protection systems should successfully meet possible new safety standards," said Brad Forst, President and CEO.
    Simula designs and makes systems and devices that save human lives. Its core markets are military aviation safety, military personnel safety, and land vehicle safety. Simula's core technologies include emergency bailout parachutes, personnel protective equipment, energy-absorbing seating systems, inflatable restraints, advanced polymer materials, and lightweight transparent and opaque armor products. For more information, go to www.simula.com.
    Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that may cause the Company's actual experience to differ materially from that which is anticipated. These forward-looking statements include statements about expected possible federal regulatory steps that may pertain to Company products and technology, and possible impacts on the Company's markets and sales. Factors affecting the Company include those described in the Company's registration statements and periodic reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.