COSTA MESA, Calif., April 24 -- Irvine Sensors Corp. will develop and demonstrate a miniaturized night-vision sight for infantry weapons that senses thermal radiation rather than low levels of light, with a $728,000 contract from the US Army CECOM. The contract is the second of two pending follow-on Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) awards it announced in January. John Carson, Irvine Sensors' COO, said the company's chip-stacking technology will enable it to shrink an infrared weapons sight and extend its operating time, providing capability for a head-mounted display coupled with an infantry weapon. "Such a miniaturized thermal imager could also have important civilian applications, particularly for firefighters," he added.