Lockheed Martin is offering the US Army and international operators of the Boeing AH-64 Apache an additional dual-band forward looking infrared (FLIR) enhancement to the new Arrowhead modernised target acquisition designation sight/pilot night vision sensor (M-TADS/PNVS). The development incorporates technology from its Hawkeye and Sniper systems.
The proposed advanced day sensor assembly (ADSA) adds a third-generation 3-5µm mid-wave FLIR alongside Arrowhead's 8-12µm long-wave sensor. Space has been created on the dayside of the M-TADS/PNVS turret by upgrading the TV sensor to a smaller charge-coupled device with miniaturised electronics - the additional FLIR avoids the need for ballast.
"Boeing specified a mid-wavelength capacity during the Arrowhead competition, but the army didn't opt for it. Since then they have said they want to be able to see and kill to the horizon. We're not on contract, but the army is in the process of trying to find funding and we're trying to find a customer," says Mike Burke, Lockheed Martin director international business development, Apache weapon systems.
The mid-wave FLIR, a feature of the AAQ-30 Hawkeye Target Sight System planned for the Bell AH-1Z upgrade programme, offers twice the range of Arrowhead's second generation system and is superior in high humidity conditions.
Compared to the Arrowhead long-wave FLIR, however, it uses a staring rather than scanning array and has a slower image refresh rate. Mid-wave FLIR also has a narrower field-of-view, which precludes its use as a night piloting aid.
Source: Flight International
