Trimble recently announced that it has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Army to provide grade control and laser leveling systems for its heavy construction equipment. The contract is valued at approximately $1.7 million.

Under the contract, Trimble will supply grade control systems for the Army’s new hydraulic excavators called the HYEX. In addition, Trimble will supply laser leveling systems used for surveying, grade checking and establishment of grade control on the new excavators. This is the second Army contract that has been awarded to Trimble for grade control systems; the first was issued in the spring of 2001.

Trimble is supplying its BucketPro excavator control system, L1145-2 dual slope laser systems and Laserplane electric masts with receivers. Terms of the contract specified installation and training by Trimble at 28 domestic and international locations. Shipments are scheduled to begin immediately; revenue recognition for the contract is based on the customer’s installation schedule.

The U.S. Army first evaluated Trimble products at Fort Irwin, California in the 1990s. This testing demonstrated significant saving in productivity, time, labor and materials that would be achieved through the use of these systems. Trimble’s earthmoving control systems are used on heavy construction equipment owned by the Air Force, Army and Marines.