Company will deliver next-generation lightweight helmets and body
armor inserts for the Soldier Protection System
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The U.S. Army has selected Ceradyne, Inc., a 3M company, as the awardee
for two low-rate initial production (LRIP) contracts for next-generation
helmet systems and hard body armor inserts as part of the Integrated
Head Protection System (IHPS) and Vital Torso Protection (VTP) –
Enhanced Small Arms Protective Inserts (ESAPI) components of the Soldier
Protection System (SPS).
The Army designed the IHPS to give soldiers a lighter-weight ballistic
helmet system that also provides passive hearing protection and
increased blunt-impact performance. This helmet system includes numerous
accessories, including a mandible, visor, night vision goggle attachment
device, rails and modular ballistic applique. The contract awarded to
Ceradyne is valued at over $7 million for the delivery of more than
5,300 IHPS helmet systems. Production is expected to start in 2017.
The VTP will equip soldiers with lighter-weight body armor inserts. The
$36 million contract is for the production of more than 30,000 ESAPI,
with production also expected to start in 2017. This VTP award is an
addition to a previous $34 million award, for a total of $70 million on
the VTP LRIP contract.
“We are honored to be the awardee of these prestigious contracts,” said
Cheryl Ingstad, business manager, Advanced Ceramics Platform – Defense,
3M. “The SPS program represents the highest level of lightweight
technology to date. Our focus from the onset has been to meet the Army’s
stringent specifications for the SPS, and that will continue as we move
into initial production. As a leading science company, 3M has deep
expertise in advanced lightweight materials, which, combined with our
proven production history, differentiates our defense offerings.”
The SPS will replace the Army’s current personal protective equipment
(PPE) system. It is designed to defeat current threats while providing
an overall weight reduction for soldiers compared to existing PPE. Both
the IHPS and VTP began as research and development programs with
multiple contenders.
Ceradyne has delivered more than 120,000 enhanced combat helmets (ECH)
to the U.S. Army and Marine Corps since 2014. The ECH offers the highest
protection level of any helmet in the U.S. Armed Forces inventory, even
protecting against certain small arms threats. Ceradyne has also
delivered more than 2 million hard body armor inserts to the U.S. Armed
Forces to date.
For more information about soldier protection solutions provided by 3M,
visit www.3M.com/Defense.
About 3M
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improve lives daily. With $30 billion in sales, our 90,000 employees
connect with customers all around the world. Learn more about 3M’s
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or @3MNewsroom.
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Source: 3M