U.S. Army places order with local armor supplier

Costa Mesa-based Ceradyne Inc. has received a $25.1-million order from the U.S. Army to supply lightweight ceramic body armor, officials announced Tuesday.

Shipments are expected to begin later this year and will be completed by May 1, 2009, according to Ceradyne.

Ceradyne was “very pleased” to receive the order, Ceradyne President David Reed said in a news release.

“We believe that the government placed this order with Ceradyne, at least in part, due to its reliable delivery and quality performance on previous,” orders for body armor, Reed said.

The order was issued by the U.S. Army’s Research, Development and Engineering Command division.

— Matt Brown