Adaptive Optics Associates (AOA) Inc.'s Advanced Optical Systems Div. has been awarded a $6.5 million contract from Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems to develop technology to improve laser designators used to identify battlefield targets. AOA, a subsidiary of imaging and scanning solutions provider Metrologic Instruments Inc., was previously awarded and completed a $153,000 contract. This new contract, awarded as part of the High-Precision Long-Range Laser Designator/Locator (HPLD) Program, has a potential value of $6.5 million and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2009, the company said. The objective of Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems' HPLD Program is to develop and demonstrate new technology that improves the accuracy and range of laser designators used to identify battlefield targets. Currently, atmospheric turbulence limits the performance of laser designators by spreading the beam. AOA said it will use its atmospheric compensation technology to mitigate that problem, and that the accuracy improvements will result in a laser designator that lets troops select individual targets that may be located near non-targets. For more information, visit: www.aoainc.com