DoD invests in N95 mask production
The US Department of Defense (DoD) will invest more than $132 million in masks as part of the Defense Production Act Title 3 COVID-19 Project.
This investment will increase the production of N95 masks by more than 39 million units over the next 90 days.
Work is divided between 3M ($76 million), Honeywell ($27.4 million) and O&M Halyward ($29 million).
3M will supply health authorities with 78 million units over the next six months, by converting a current equipment supplier into an N95 production line, and it will also increase meltblown material production.
Honeywell, meanwhile, is to supply 38 million units between April and October 2020, with 12 million units every subsequent month. This will allow the company to meet demand within 10 months instead of 13.
The DoD will procure 25 million N95 units from O&M Halyward over the same period and the company will make 12.5 million after October 2020. O&M Halyward is installing an additional five N95 machines at its facilities in Del Rio, Texas and it is expanding meltblown material production at its Lexington, North Carolina plant.
More from Defence Notes
-
![Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force]()
Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force
It has been more than six weeks since the Irish general election. After long negotiations, a coalition of two of the three largest parties and independents has resulted in a Programme for Government (PfG) which will form the basis of a government almost guaranteed to be formed on 22 January.
-
![Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent]()
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
-
![UK begins process on new industrial strategy]()
UK begins process on new industrial strategy
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
-
![Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west]()
Romanians put pro-Russian candidate into presidential runoff even as the government spends west
Romania joined NATO more than two decades ago and the country is vital to the alliance’s geographic reach and its ability to supply Ukraine with weapons.
