GARLAND, Texas, Aug. 13, 2001 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation's (NYSE:NOC) Electro-Optical Systems business unit, formerly Litton's Electro-Optical Systems Division, has received a new indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract from the U.S. Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane Division to produce 7,000 Miniature Night Vision Sights (MNS) for the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC).
The initial contract award in fiscal 2001 is valued at $7.9 million. With all quantities produced, the total value of the contract exceeds $35 million.
"This contract introduces Northrop Grumman's advanced MNS image-intensified night vision weapon sight to the USMC for the first time," said John Donehoo, president of Northrop Grumman's Electro-Optical Systems business unit. "MNS will improve USMC warfighting capability and significantly reduce the weight load Marines must carry using the currently fielded night vision weapon sights. Northrop Grumman is very proud of the wide acclaim this new night vision system has garnered among U.S. military communities."
The MNS was originally selected as the dedicated miniature night vision sight (AN/PVS-17) for the U.S. Special Operations Command's (USSOCOM) SOPMOD M4A1 carbine program. Lighter and more compact than currently fielded units, the MNS has now been matched with USMC requirements for fielding on the Marines' new M4 Carbine program and will also be used on the M16A2 and M16A4 rifles as well as the M240 and M249 squad automatic weapons. The Marine Corps' MNS will also have a submersible capability of up to 66 feet (20 meters) as is standard with several night vision systems supplied by Northrop Grumman to USSOCOM.
The MNS combines an internally projected, boresighted red dot aim point and a unique dual momentary ON/OFF control that saves battery power. It utilizes the latest image-intensifier tube technology pioneered by Northrop Grumman, including an auto-gated power supply that provides Marines with extended dawn and dusk operation in addition to exceptional low-light night performance.
Northrop Grumman is a manufacturer of the latest generations of night vision image intensifiers and systems for military, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations serving all U.S. military services and many allied countries. In addition, the company designs and manufactures advanced infrared sensors/cameras, thin film coatings and laser protection filters.
The Electro-Optical Systems unit is a component of Northrop Grumman's Electronic Sensors and Systems Sector (ES3). Headquartered in Baltimore, Md., ES3 is a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of defense electronics and systems including airborne radar systems, navigation systems, electronic warfare systems, precision weapons, air traffic control systems, air defense systems, communications systems, space systems, marine systems, oceanic and naval systems, logistics systems, and automation and information systems.
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