Northrop Grumman Corp. said it has been awarded more than $20 million in three biometrics and identity management contracts from the United States government.

The contracts were awarded to Northrop’s Mission Systems sector by the U.S. Army.

The Army’s National Ground Intelligence Center awarded the Los Angeles-based contractor a one-year $7.5 million contract to continue work in developing biometric systems. Another contract is worth $5.2 million and commissions a study to improve the military’s understanding of how biometrics affect war fighting.

The final deal is a four-year contract worth $3 million a year for the collection, forensic analysis and exploitation of biometric data collected by the government. Northrop will work with McLean, Va.-based Harding Security Associates on the contract, the company said.

Shares in Northrop were up $1.16 to $71.24 in midday trading Tuesday.