MELKSHAM, England—Avon Rubber P.L.C. has been awarded a $6.7 million contract by the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a modified version of its M53 face mask to provide respiratory protection on the Department of Defense's fixed-wing aircraft fleet.
The contract covers an initial two-year preproduction phase that includes development, testing and user trials, plus logistical support. Follow-on production contract awards could be up to $74 million.
This is part of the Department of Defense's strategy to provide its aircrew with upgraded chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear respiratory protection.