Ceradyne given additional order for body armor

Costa Mesa-based Ceradyne Inc. has received a $14.1 million order for Small Arms Protective Insert body armor from the U.S. Army, bringing its total recent awards to $32.9 million.

It received another order from the U.S. Army’s Research, Development and Engineering Command division for the lightweight ceramic body armor plates earlier this week.

The insert is a ceramic plate used to stop high-velocity rifle rounds.

“We are very pleased to receive this additional FMS body armor order,” Ceradyne President of North American Operations David Reed said.

The armor will begin shipping with the previous order near the end of the year, with delivery expected to be completed in the spring.

— Candice Baker