Lockheed Martin receives $65 million contract to modernize U.S. Army Apache helicopters

November 1st 2010

Lockheed Martin on Monday was awarded a $65 million contract to continue the modernization of the Apache helicopters of the U.S. Army.

Lockheed received the contract for continuing the modernization of the helicopter's Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system.

The total contract value includes the $22 million base plus options and will last for the next four years. Under Phase II, Lockheed Martin will finish modernizing the Apache's legacy Day Sensor Assembly (DSA) and associated electronics.

"The Modernized DSA replaces vintage 30-year-old hardware; addressing obsolescence, reliability and capability gaps. These improvements will make the Apache a more lethal and survivable aircraft on the battlefield well into the future," said U.S. Army Apache Sensors Product Manager Lt. Col. John Vannoy.

The modifications to the M-TADS/PNVS system will ensure that it remains as the world's most advanced electro-optical precision engagement system for attack helicopters.

The contract includes upgrades to the multi-mode laser range finder/designator, visible color sensor, laser spot tracker, inertial measurement unit, modernized day sensor structure assembly and potential for future laser pointer marker compatibility.

"M-DSA will expand the M-TADS/PNVS' ability to fully accommodate future weapons, providing a tremendous capability to our Warfighters for many years to come," said Matt Hoffman, M-DSA program manager at Lockheed Martin

The modernization works will address obsolescence issues and supports improvements in sustainability and maintainability, enabling two-level maintenance (compatible with M-TADS/PNVS Performance Based Logistics). M-DSA also increases reliability by enhancing M-TADS/PNVS mean time between failure rates.

The M-TADS/PNVS, also known as Arrowhead, provides Apache pilots advanced piloting and targeting capability when conducting day, night and adverse-weather missions. The Arrowhead system has been used since 2005.