Northrop Grumman Corp. has been awarded a contract from the US Army to provide more than 500 handheld laser target locators to help soldiers locate and identify enemy targets. The value of the contract is $17.5 million, with the first deliveries scheduled for April 2008 and final deliveries due August 2009. The Mark VII is a handheld target locator that can accurately identify enemy positions and locations during the day or at night. It can be used to conduct surveillance and target enemy positions for air or artillery engagement. "The Mark VII laser rangefinder has been a mainstay in the Army for a number of years because it is such a great piece of equipment," said Gregory Williams, general manager of the company's Laser Systems business unit. The Mark VII system is currently deployed with Army forward observers and scouts, U.S. Air Force tactical air control parties, US Marine forward observers and forward air controllers, and members of special operations forces. It is used in the mountains of Afghanistan and the deserts of Iraq to provide target location information. For more information, visit: www.northropgrumman.com