GARLAND, Texas, Aug. 14 -- Northrop Grumman Corp.'s Electro-Optical Systems business unit, formerly Litton's Electro-Optical Systems Div., has received a new indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract from the US Navy's Naval Surface Warfare Center-Crane Division to produce 7,000 Miniature Night Vision Sights (MNS) for the US Marine Corps (USMC). The initial contract 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.
   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 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.