The Canadian subsidiary of 3M is to produce new lightweight filter canisters for U.S. Army's M50 Joint Service General Purpose Mask and M51 Combat Vehicle Mask.

The contract, awarded to 3M Canada through the Canadian Commercial Corporation, is an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity vehicle with a value of more than $3 million.

"The 3M M61 canister combines the latest filter technologies with four decades of 3M respiratory expertise, providing optimal troop protection without impacting tactical agility," said Glenn Long, business development manager for 3M Canada. "The use of dual 3M M61 canisters on the M50 and M51 masks reduces breathing resistance, enhancing both troop safety and performance."

The 3M M61 canister is lighter and designed to protect troops against a wide range of respiratory threats, including toxic industrial chemicals and gases. It uses adsorbent carbon material combined with a bottom retainer to adsorb and remove a range of chemical, biological and radiological threats.

The M50 chem-bio protection mask is used by all branches of the U.S. military.