By Ann Roosevelt
Lockheed Martin [LMT] yesterday said it will continue to modernize the Apache helicopter’s Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PVNS) system under a $65 million contract, which includes the $22 million base plus options.
Under the Phase II, four-year, fixed-price contract, Lockheed Martin will finish modernizing the Apache’s legacy Day Sensor Assembly (DSA) and associated electronics.
“It’s part of our lifecycle sustainment,” Col. Shane Openshaw, Apache project manager, said of the M-TADS-PVNS system during the Association of the United States Army annual conference last week.
While the Forward Looking Infrared M-TADS/PVNS sensor has been modernized, the dayside sensor and laser are still to come.
“Obsolescence and reliability drivers in the dayside [sensor] are probably my biggest headache,” he said. “We have undertaken an incremental insertion approach to designing out obsolescence and reliability issues,” he said.
“Do we have an investment program that fields upgrades? No,” Openshaw said. “But we have an obsolescence program that nibbles at the problem children to incrementally get us the capability that we’re going to need.”
“The Modernized DSA replaces vintage 30-year-old hardware–addressing obsolescence, reliability and capability gaps,” said Army Apache Sensors Product Manager Lt. Col. John Vannoy in a statement. “These improvements will make the Apache a more lethal and survivable aircraft on the battlefield well into the future.”
M-DSA includes upgrades to the multi-mode laser rangefinder/designator, visible color sensor, laser spot tracker, inertial measurement unit, modernized day sensor structure assembly and a potential for future laser pointer marker compatibility.
This modification resolves obsolescence issues and supports improvements in sustainability and maintainability, enabling two-level maintenance that is compatible with M- TADS/PNVS Performance Based Logistics. M-DSA also increases reliability by enhancing M-TADS/PNVS mean time between failure rates.
The modifications will ensure M-TADS/PNVS remains the world’s most advanced electro-optical precision engagement system for attack helicopters.
“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 Missiles and Fire Control.