Odetics Inc., an Anaheim maker of space...

Odetics Inc., an Anaheim maker of space and robotics products, said it has received a new contract from the U.S. Army for a feasibility study of a new automatic loading system for the howitzer heavy artillery piece.

Value of the contract, awarded by the Army’s Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center in Dover, N.J., was estimated by company officials at $50,000.

The contract calls for Odetics to evaluate a robotic ammunition handling and loading system for the howitzer that could allow the weapon to function in a variety of environments unsuitable for humans.