Wednesday, August 18, 2010

DTN News: Lockheed Martin Receives $260 Million M-TADS/PNVS Production Contract

Defense News: DTN News: Lockheed Martin Receives $260 Million M-TADS/PNVS Production Contract
Source: DTN News / Lockheed Martin August 17th, 2010
(NSI News Source Info) ORLANDO, FL, - August 18, 2010: The U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a $260 million follow-on production contract for the combat-proven Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS), also known as Arrowhead®, for the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter.
The Lot 7 contract includes M-TADS/PNVS systems as well as Arrowhead kits, plus spares, for delivery to U.S. Army and several international customers. More than 1,000 kits will be delivered with the completion of the Lot 7 contract, which extends production through April 2013.
“Demand by commanders for the Arrowhead-equipped LONGBOW Apache to support current operations remains high,” said U.S. Army Apache Sensors Product Manager Lt. Col. John Vannoy. “LONGBOW Apaches are deployed everywhere our ground forces are to ensure they remain safe and decisive in combat 24/7, worldwide."
The Arrowhead kit modernizes the U.S. Army’s TADS/PNVS, known as the “eyes of the Apache,” by upgrading the infrared sensors and associated electronics. Arrowhead provides Apache pilots the most advanced long-range, electro-optical precision engagement and pilotage capabilities, ensuring safe flight during day, night and adverse-weather missions.
“Field Commanders describe Arrowhead as a game-changing system in combat,” said Bob Gunning, vice president of Apache Fire Control at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Maintenance time is down and operational time is up; reports from users are that performance has been terrific. We have a great team working the program for us as the Army prepares to modernize the remaining legacy components of the original TADS/PNVS system.”
Lockheed Martin rolled out the first Arrowhead system to the U.S. Army in May 2005, and completed integration on the first Apache helicopters in June 2005.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s 2009 sales from continuing operations were $44.5 billion.
Additional Info - Modernized Day Sensor Assembly (M-DSA)
Modernized Day Sensor Assembly (M-DSA) completes the modernization of the Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system, also known as Arrowhead. The lower M-TADS turret contains the targeting system, which has both day and night sensor assemblies. The M-DSA incorporates updated Laser Rangefinder Designator, TV Sensor, and Laser Spot Tracker components, elements of which were designed in the 1970s. The objective is to modernize the entire DSA system to enhance performance and address obsolescence, as well as to increase the M-TADS/PNVS ability to fully accommodate weapons now in production.Arrowhead, deployed in 2005, modernized the forward looking infrared (FLIR) elements of the TADS and the PNVS. As its capabilities have been integrated into operations in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, its impact on the effectiveness and safety of the Apache AH-64D has continued to be felt.
This modernization effort will provide superior technological and precision engagement advantages to the Warfighter. It will ensure the U.S. Army’s Apache helicopter remains the world’s finest attack helicopter well into the future.
The state-of-the-art and higher-performance Laser Rangefinder Designator (including an eye-safe rangefinder) and Day Sensor Electronics Unit replace the Laser Transceiver Unit and associated electronics in the Apache’s legacy DSA. The new Day Sensor Structure Assembly incorporates fields of view (FOVs) that match the Arrowhead FLIR FOVs to accommodate image blending. The Modernized TV Sensor incorporates color and low light level sensitivity. The three spinning mass gyros are replaced with a state-of-the-art Inertial Measurement Unit. The new Laser Spot Tracker uses a four quadrant detector and improved processing. A Laser Pointer Marker is added to enhance coordination with ground and air units.
Contact:
Heather Kelly, (407) 356-5351
e-mail heather.kelly@lmco.com
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