The US Army RDECOM has awarded an $18.7m order for SAPI (Small Arms Protective Inserts) lightweight ceramic body armour to Ceradyne, a manufacturer of advanced technical ceramic products.

The SAPI side plate uses hot-pressed boron carbide and silicon carbide ceramic integrated with optimised composite structures to provide multi-hit protection when worn in conjunction with approved body armour

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The order is part of the Foreign Military Sales requirement.

The components are scheduled for shipping in the fourth quarter of 2009, with completion planned before December 31.

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