PAUL LEWIS / ORLANDO
Singapore will be first overseas customer for Lockheed Martin's new targeting sensor
Singapore will be the first international Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow operator to field the new Lockheed Martin Arrowhead targeting and night vision system, as the manufacturer considers improving the attack helicopter's electro-optical and radar suite.
Lockheed Martin is to test the modernised-target acquisition and designation sight/pilot's night vision sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) in June, with first flight in September. Production begins in March 2003, with the US Army due to field the Arrowhead from the third quarter 2004. Foreign military sales deliveries are expected shortly afterwards.
Traditionally, the US Army has been reluctant to export systems before qualification and a full-rate production decision. But Lockheed Martin wants to offer the new system in place of the legacy TADS/ PNVS. "We're putting fixed-price bids on the street now," says the company. In addition to new-build helicopters and the US Army's 700- strong Apache fleet, the system is being offered as a retrofit for around 280 export AH-64A/Ds.
Singapore will be first M-TADS/ PNVS customer when it receives a second batch of 12 AH-64Ds from 2004, followed by Israel, which has ordered eight new machines and a single AH-64A rebuild. The Netherlands and the UK are seeking funds for an Arrowhead retrofit on their AH-64Ds around 2005/6. Arrowhead export rules are still being drawn up and may restrict software access to functions such as scene stabilisation and extended range.
Arrowhead comprises a second-generation, long-wave forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor with selectable 30¡x40¡ and 30¡x52¡ fields-of-view for targeting and navigation. As well as resolution and range upgrades, better reliability may save the US Army $964 million over the next 30 years. Add-on provisions include fusing FLIR and image-intensified TV with automatic target recognition.
Boeing and Lockheed Martin are considering offering the mid-wave Hawkeye target sight system for export machines. It offers longer range, but is more vulnerable to smoke and atmospheric conditions. Software enhancements to the Apache's APG-68 Longbow fire-control radar, which could extend range by over 50%, are also being considered, say sources.
Source: Flight International
