3M recently announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Ceradyne Inc., has been issued an $80 million delivery order with the U.S. government to supply 77,000 enhanced combat helmets and associated spare parts to the U.S. Marine Corps. This contract is an outcome of the joint procurement program led by the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Army to improve head protection for Marines and Army soldiers.

The enhanced combat helmets designed by Ceradyne, which are reportedly the only helmets that have been tested and passed using Director of Operational Test and Evaluation protocols, will be manufactured at Ceradyne’s facility in California. The helmets reportedly provide improved ballistic and fragmentation protection over any fielded helmet in history. That was proven through extensive testing in coordination with the U.S. Marine Corps and the Army.

While the helmet design is equivalent in weight to the current fielded helmets, it provides an average 50% improved ballistic protection over helmets currently in use. The helmet is also compatible with all currently used components of infantry combat equipment.

For more information visit www.ceradyne.com.