DoD invests in N95 mask production
The US Department of Defense (DoD) will invest more than $132 million in masks as part of the Defense Production Act Title 3 COVID-19 Project.
This investment will increase the production of N95 masks by more than 39 million units over the next 90 days.
Work is divided between 3M ($76 million), Honeywell ($27.4 million) and O&M Halyward ($29 million).
3M will supply health authorities with 78 million units over the next six months, by converting a current equipment supplier into an N95 production line, and it will also increase meltblown material production.
Honeywell, meanwhile, is to supply 38 million units between April and October 2020, with 12 million units every subsequent month. This will allow the company to meet demand within 10 months instead of 13.
The DoD will procure 25 million N95 units from O&M Halyward over the same period and the company will make 12.5 million after October 2020. O&M Halyward is installing an additional five N95 machines at its facilities in Del Rio, Texas and it is expanding meltblown material production at its Lexington, North Carolina plant.
More from Defence Notes
- 
                
                    ![Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems]()  Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systemsAir defence systems are continuing to appear top of countries’ shopping lists but broadly across different capabilities it is a sellers’ market, as demonstrated by backlogs and double-digit percentage point growth. 
- 
                
                    ![Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans]()  Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plansIn May this year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the government plans to position Germany as “Europe's strongest conventional army”. A new blueprint outlines how this is going to occur through massive investment. 
- 
                
                    ![European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap]()  European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmapTwo of the concrete projects outlined in the readiness report, the European Air Shield and Space Shield, will aim to be launched by Q2 2026. 
- 
                
                    ![Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026]()  Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force. 
- 
                
                    ![GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements]()  GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvementsThe US Government Accountability Office recently released two reports; one into the availability of selected equipment and another looking at how the government gets data and intellectual property rights through contracting. 
 
         
         
                         
                         
                         
                         
                         
         
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                 
                