Ceradyne wins US body armour contract
Ceradyne, a part of 3M, has been awarded a $92.7 million contract by the US Defense Logistics Agency to supply and deliver 177,000 body armour plates, 3M announced on 18 May.
The production and deliveries are expected to start in 2016. The plates are designed to meet the US Department of Defense's performance requirements. They will be worn by US marines, airmen, sailors and soldiers.
The armour plates to be delivered under this contract are enhanced small arms protective inserts that can be inserted into modular, outer tactical vests for torso protection against small arms fire. The US armed forces routinely use these plates for battlefield protection.
Cheryl Ingstad, business manager at Advanced Ceramics Platform – Defense, 3M, said: '3M is pleased to win this contract, and we are honoured to provide body armour for the US military.
'We continue to make it our mission to leverage innovation in advanced materials science and the manufacturing process to deliver highly engineered body armour that meets the exacting quality standards of the U.S. Department of Defense. We never forget that the primary purpose of every body-armor plate is to save the life of the military member who wears it.'
Ceradyne has fielded over two million body armour inserts and 100,000 enhanced combat helmets for US armed forces.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Success for ballistic missile interceptor test firing from Guam]()
Success for ballistic missile interceptor test firing from Guam
The US is increasing its focus on the Indo-Pacific region with multinational partnerships and increased capability such as boosting the defence of Guam.
-
![Land Warfare Review 2024: Conflict in Europe and the Middle East dominate attention and power spending]()
Land Warfare Review 2024: Conflict in Europe and the Middle East dominate attention and power spending
Political turbulence in the US and across the Atlantic could have huge implications for Ukraine in the coming months. In 2024, however, the land warfare domain saw spending increase in eastern and central Europe, the continent continue it preference for the CV90 and a global rise in the demand for missiles.
-
![Australia looks to Precision Strike Missile and Naval Strike Missile for new long-range fires]()
Australia looks to Precision Strike Missile and Naval Strike Missile for new long-range fires
Australia has committed a A$1 billion over the next four years to accelerate investments in the targeting enterprise, long-range fires, theatre logistics, fuel resilience and robotic and autonomous systems as part of its 2024 National Defence Strategy.
-
![Saab to supply Giraffe radars to US Air Force in Europe]()
Saab to supply Giraffe radars to US Air Force in Europe
Saab began development of the radar in 2012. Production started in 2014 and Sweden ordered systems in 2020 for SEK2.1 billion as part of a five-year deal.
