HUDSON, N.H.---The U.S. Army has awarded BAE Systems a $23 million contract to provide lightweight handheld Laser Target Locator Modules (LTLM).

“The system provides mission-critical capability in a single, lightweight package, combining the functions of several pieces of equipment that today’s soldier carries in his or her pack.”

BAE Systems’ TRIGR™ target location system utilizes the latest targeting technology, enabling soldiers to identify target locations while on foot, in daylight or at night, and in obscured-visibility conditions such as fog or smoke.

“Our laser target locator modules helps soldiers determine target coordinates quickly and accurately,” said Bill Ashe, LTLM program manager. “The system provides mission-critical capability in a single, lightweight package, combining the functions of several pieces of equipment that today’s soldier carries in his or her pack.”

The device consists of a direct-view optic system, a night-vision camera derived from BAE Systems’ advanced thermal weapon sights, a laser range finder, a digital compass, and a GPS receiver – all in a single package weighing less than 5.5 pounds. The system allows users to recognize targets more than 4.2 kilometers away in daylight and 900 meters in darkness.

“Removing weight from soldiers’ packs makes their jobs easier, enabling them to complete missions faster and with greater precision,” Ashe said.

This contract is awarded after the company received a $72 million contract for initial production of the LTLM systems in 2009 from the U.S. Army’s Program Executive Office Soldier. Work will be performed at BAE Systems' facilities in Lexington, Massachusetts, Nashua, New Hampshire, and Austin, Texas. Initial fielding of units is slated for this month.