US Army, Lockheed Martin highlight M-TADS/PNVS performance

Lockheed Martin marked the delivery of the 1,000th Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system to the US Army at ceremonies held today at Lockheed Martin facilities in Ocala and Orlando, FL. M-TADS/PNVS, also known as Arrowhead, is the advanced targeting and pilotage system for the US Army's AH-64D Apache attack helicopter.

"The M-TADS/PNVS is a game-changer on the battlefield and has ensured Longbow Apaches remain dominant in support of our ground soldiers," said Col. Shane Openshaw, US Army project manager for Apache Attack Helicopter. "This combat-tested system has shown, through over five years of continuous combat operations since the first unit was fielded, that an Apache equipped with M-TADS/PNVS is the most lethal and survivable attack helicopter in the world."

M-TADS/PNVS provides Apache pilots with the most advanced long-range, electro-optical precision engagement and pilotage capabilities to ensure mission success and flight safety in day, night and adverse weather missions. It employs state-of-the-art forward-looking infrared sensors to provide Apache pilots with enhanced image resolution, giving them the complementary benefits of significant standoff range and unrivaled targeting capabilities. M-TADS/PNVS improves performance and reliability over legacy TADS/PNVS systems by more than 150 percent, reduces maintenance actions by nearly 60 percent, and will save the US Army nearly $1 billion in operation and support costs over its 20-year system life.

"Teamwork has been the secret to the success of this program," said David Belvin, director of Apache programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The US Army, Lockheed Martin and its suppliers worked together as a team to achieve an unprecedented rapid development and production program to support the warfighter."

"US Apaches are nearly completely equipped with this incredible system, and we will have retrofitted all of our Longbows in the field by the summer of 2011," added Col. Openshaw. "In addition, many allied force Apaches around the world are M-TADS/PNVS-equipped, greatly enhancing their capability to conduct attack operations and to integrate with US and NATO forces. This production milestone, the delivery of M-TADS/PNVS number 1,000, is another tremendous achievement for this outstanding program."

The US Army awarded Lockheed Martin the original M-TADS/PNVS contract in 2003. The first system was delivered to a US Army Apache in theater in 2005. Previous milestones include the 250th system delivery in 2007 and the 500th delivery in 2008. During this period, M-TADS/PNVS was delivered at a rate of over 20 units per month. The 1,000th delivery ceremony signifies another important step in Lockheed Martin's support of Army Aviation. Additional domestic and international deliveries will continue through 2014. Electronics assembly of M-TADS/PNVS is performed at the Lockheed Martin facility in Ocala, FL. Final assembly is performed at Lockheed Martin's facility in Orlando, FL.

Source: Lockheed Martin

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