RIDGEFIELD, Conn., Aug. 25 -- The US Army's Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) has awarded a $1.3 million contract to EOIR Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of defense and homeland security companies Markland Technologies Inc. and Technest Holdings Inc. The new orders were for support of combat and anti-terrorism activities in Iraq. Markland is developing a range of technology solutions for the NVESD, including night vision and advanced sensor applications, disposable sensors and other threat-detection systems. The order is part of an omnibus contract awarded to EOIR on July 15 and which, to date, has totaled $9.2 million. The ongoing contract has a maximum ceiling amount of $80 in fiscal year revenues. According to Markland officials, many of the products and services being delivered on this contract utilize next-generation electro-optic and infrared sensor technologies that are being used in direct support of US military combat operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. The Army's NVESD research and development group is one of the military's technological leaders, responsible for innovations in the fields of optical electronics and thermal imaging for weapons targeting, electronic surveillance and other mission-critical military applications. For more information, visit: www.marklandtech.com