The AN/PED-1 Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR) is used by US Army Forward Observers and Forward Air Controllers to target enemy positions during the day, at night and even through haze, smoke, fog or rain. Using the system, an FO or FAC can use the LLDR to recognize a target, find the range with an eye-safe laser, calculate grid coordinates with built-in GPS, and add elevation and azimuth. The NATO-coded system can then transmit this information to other units, or directly illuminate targets for semi-active laser-guided munitions and laser spot trackers.
LLDR is not the only laser designator/ rangefinder in use by the US military; Elbit Systems’ subsidiary Kollsman supplies the USMC [PDF]. Litton, who became Northrop Grumman, has nonetheless won a pair of significant contracts aimed at modernizing the US Army’s inventory. Major contracts were announced in September 2006 and October 2009, totaling over $800 million. Delivery orders continue…
Contracts
Unless otherwise noted, the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (ARDEC) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD manages these contracts.
March 5/10: Northrop Grumman Corp. in Apopka, FL picks up 3 delivery order contracts for lightweight laser designator rangefinders, worth $142.7 million. Work is to be performed in Orlando, FL with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/14, (W91CRB-09-D-0061). The firm’s Laser Systems business unit has delivered and fielded more than 1,300 LLDR systems to U.S. military forces, and this marks the 2nd-4th delivery orders under an October 2009 contract with a not-to-exceed value of $599 million. See also NGC release.
A $79 million fixed-price indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract. Bids were solicted on the World Wide Web with 2 bids received.
A $46.2 million fixed-price indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract. Bids were solicted on the World Wide Web with 2 bids received.
A $17.6 million fixed-price indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract. Bids were solicted on the World Wide Web with 2 bids received.
Oct 5/09: Northrop Grumman announces that it has been picked to continue supplying AN/PED-1 Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinders (LLDR) under a 5-year indefinite delivery/ indefinite quantity (ID/IQ) contract that could be worth up to $599 million. Subsequent contract announcements gove the designation: W91CRB-09-D-0061.
Northrop Grumman’s Laser Systems release says that it has delivered over 800 LLDR systems since the first Army contract award in 2002. The first delivery order award under this latest ID/IQ contract is valued at $72.7 million.
Aug 3/09: Northrop Grumman in Orlando, FL receives a $21.9 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract foLLDR field level reset work. Work is to be performed in Orlando, FL, with an estimated completion date of Sept 30/14. One bid solicited by U.S. Army Research, Development & Engineering Command (RDECOM) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, with one bid received (W91CRB-09-D-0038).
Oct 6/08: Northrop Grumman announces a $128 million firm fixed-priced contract from the U.S. Army to provide Lightweight Laser Designator Rangefinder (LLDR) systems.
The amount differs slightly from the Pentagon’s Sept 11/08 announcement, so it’s not clear if they’re separate awards. The $336 million contract total suggests that they cover the same award.
Sept 11/08: Northrop Grumman Guidance & Electronics in Apopka, FL receives a $123 million firm-fixed-price delivery order to buy LLDR components and systems. Work will be performed in Apopka, FL, with an estimated completion date of Sept 27/08. One bid was solicited and one bid was received (W91CRB-05-D-0033).
July 2/07: Litton Systems Inc. in Orlando, FL receives a $91.1 million deliver order to buy LLDR components and systems under the $336.4 million firm-fixed-price contract. Work will be performed in Orlando, FL and is expected to be completed by Nov 30/08. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on April 14/05 (W91CRB-05-D-0033).
Nov 7/06: Litton Systems Inc. in Orlando, FL receives a $45.9 million delivery order to buy LLDR components and systems under the $336.4 million firm-fixed-price contract. Work will be performed in Orlando, FL and is expected to be completed by Nov 30/08. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This was a sole source contract initiated on April 14/05 (W91CRB-05-D-0033).
Sept 26/06: Litton Systems Inc. in Orlando, FL receives a delivery order amount of $14.9 million as part of a $336.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for the pre-planned product improvement of lightweight laser designator rangefinder components. Work will be performed in Orlando, FL, and is expected to be complete by Jan 31/09. This was a sole source contract initiated on April 14/05 by the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (ARDEC) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD (W91CRB-05-D-0033).
Learn more by reviewing the official specs from PEO Soldier.
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