The LONGBOW LLC won a $57 million U.S. Army Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract to provide the Indian Air Force with Fire Control Radar (FCR) systems for new AH-64E Apache helicopters, Lockheed Martin [LMT] said in a statement

LONGBOW is a joint venture company formed by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman [NOC].

Apache Helicopter with the Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR) above the main rotor. Photo: Boeing
Apache Helicopter with the Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR) above the main rotor.
Photo: Boeing

The contract obligates $57 million to LONGBOW, with a total value that will not exceed $116.7 million. It covers production of 12 LONGBOW FCR systems and spares for India. Production is set for Lockheed Martin’s Orlando and Ocala, Fla., facilities as well as Northrop Grumman’s Baltimore, Md., facilities.

The LONGBOW FCR has been in use in Apache aircraft for over 10 years. It enables aircrews to automatically detect, locate, classify, and prioritize targets. It also enables rapid, multi-target engagement in all weather, over multiple terrains, and through battlefield obscurants, Lockheed Martin said.

The contract for India makes it the 11th international customer of the radar system

“With LONGBOW FCR, the Indian Air Force will receive a rapid all-weather targeting capability. The FCR’s air over-watch mode provides aircrews with 360-degree situational awareness, improving survivability and mission success,” Jim Messina, LONGBOW LLC president and director of LONGBOW programs at Lockheed Martin, said in a statement.

“Our highly reliable LONGBOW FCR has been repeatedly proven in combat, protecting warfighters around the globe at an affordable cost,” Ike Song, vice president of mission solutions at Northrop Grumman’s land & avionics C4ISR division, added.