The modification was awarded through the service branchâs Soldier Protection System Vital Torso Protection program and is intended for the low-rate initial production of 28, 000 pieces of ceramic-based armor plates designed to protect the body from small arms bullets, 3M said Tuesday.
âWeâve made it our mission to leverage innovation in advanced materials science to reduce the weight burden carried by soldiers, â said Cheryl Ingstad, business manager of advanced ceramics platforms for defense at 3M.
3M expects Ceradyne to complete deliveries of the body armor in 2016.