Products leverage 3M’s advanced-materials expertise to give soldiers optimal protection at a light weight
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Oct. 9, 2017 – Greater threats and changing missions demand a higher caliber of head and body protection than what many militaries around the world use today. 3M will be showcasing a family of soldier protection solutions that address this need in Booth 7243 at the AUSA 2017 Annual Meeting and Exposition.
Among the 3M offerings on display will be the new Combat II Ballistic Helmet L110. This state-of-the-art helmet delivers 3M’s highest ballistic protection to date. Developed by Ceradyne, Inc., a 3M company, the L110 helmet is based on technology that has been tested, fielded and proven with the U.S. military.
“There’s tremendous interest globally for head protection that defends against today’s most prevalent threats, like explosive devices and rifle bullets, at the lightest possible weight,” said Cheryl Ingstad, business manager, Advanced Ceramics Platform – Defense, 3M. “We put our scientific expertise to work to deliver exactly that in the L110 helmet. We look forward to discussing the L110 helmet, our range of innovative soldier-protection offerings and future advancements at this year’s event.”
3M representatives will also be available at AUSA to discuss the company’s support for the U.S. Army’s Soldier Protection System (SPS) program.
Ceradyne was awarded a low-rate initial production (LRIP) contract in 2016 for the program’s Integrated Head Protection System (IHPS) component. The IHPS will give soldiers a lighter-weight ballistic helmet system with passive hearing protection and increased blunt impact performance. The 3M IHPS offering is currently undergoing government testing.
Ceradyne was also awarded an LRIP contract for the SPS’s Vital Torso Protection (VTP) component, which seeks to give soldiers lighter-weight body armor inserts. Government testing of these inserts has been completed.
With more than 70 years of support for the U.S. Armed Forces, 46 technology platforms and proven performance in the field, 3M can help program managers solve their toughest challenges. Life-saving 3M innovations include: lightweight ballistic helmets and body armor, aircraft armor, 3M™ PELTOR™ tactical communications, and respiratory, hearing and eye protection.
For more information about soldier protection solutions provided by 3M, visit www.3M.com/Defense.
