ST. PAUL, Minn., Dec. 16 (UPI) -- An advanced combat helmet by a 3M subsidiary, Ceradyne, Inc., has been named as one of the "100 Best Innovations of 2013" by Popular Science magazine.
The U.S. Marine Corps has ordered 77,000 of the helmets, which 3M says provides 35 percent better ballistic and fragmentation protection than other helmets and at a lighter weight.
The helmets were ordered in September under a joint Army and Marines procurement program and will be fielded by deploying troops next year.
"We're incredibly honored to have been named to this year's 'Best Innovations' list, especially for our defense support technology," said Mark Colin, 3M's vice president and general manager, Advanced Ceramics Platform. "Advancing the science behind equipment that improves survivability and better protects our U.S. Armed Forces is some of the most rewarding work we do."
According to 3M, the award is the fifth it has won from the magazine for its products in the past six years.
