Specialist defence manufacturer Avon Technologies has landed a $18m (£14.4m) order to supply another batch of its pioneering military technology to the US armed forces.
The Melksham-based group, which employs more than 900 people in seven locations in the UK and North America, secured the work as part of a framework contract originally awarded in 2021 with Washington’s Defense Logistics Agency.
Under the agreement, Avon’s US-based Team Wendy Ceradyne operations will supply the agency with its pioneering Next Generation Integrated Head Protection System.
The helmet uses shell moulding developed by Ceradyne, the former 3M ballistic protection business which Avon bought in 2020, with liner and retention system technologies developed by Team Wendy, the Ohio-based head protection systems firm acquired earlier the same year.
Avon Technologies chief executive officer Jos Sclater said: “We continue to see good levels of demand for Team Wendy's head protection systems from the US DoD (Department of Defense), demonstrating our leading ballistic shell and traumatic brain injury mitigation technology and long-term contract positions.
“We look forward to continuing our support to the US military with this vital, lifesaving, protection equipment.”
In November the firm, which changed its name from Avon Protection last summer, said it was benefiting from inquiries for its ballistic helmets and respiratory protection from US police forces preparing for the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
It also said the geopolitical situation continued to support demand for its masks and helmets, which are used by first responders and the military.
These included a rise in perceived threat levels including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) attacks, along with continued equipment modernisation programmes by NATO countries.
