India to get LONGBOW for AH-64E Apache Helicopters

The US Army recently awarded LONGBOW Limited Liability Company (LBL), a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Corporation, four Foreign Military Sales contracts to provide the AH-64E Apache helicopter AN/APG-78 LONGBOW Fire Control Radar (FCR) to the armed forces of India, Morocco, the Netherlands and United Arab Emirates.

“The LBL team is excited to bring Morocco, Netherlands and India into the LONGBOW FCR user community, and to update UAE with new capabilities, as the ever-evolving missions of our US allies will benefit from our precision engagement capabilities,” said Jim Messina, LBL president and Lockheed Martin programme director. “The LONGBOW radar remains a relevant and important system for the missions Apache aircrews fly.”

The addition of Morocco, the Netherlands and India expands the LONGBOW customer base to include 16 foreign militaries and 14 nations. UAE is updating from the AH-64D to the AH-64E aircraft. These contracts are a direct result of the five-year production requirements contract the US Department of Defense awarded to LBL in 2016.

“As LONGBOW Joint Venture marks 35 years of successful partnership, the addition of these customers is a testament to the deep experience and dedication the team brings to advance the FCR system to support our customer’s missions,” said Shalini Gupta, LBL vice president and Northrop Grumman director for LONGBOW programmes.

When coupled with the Apache’s unique system of sensors approach, LONGBOW FCR gives aircrews the capability to scan large areas at long ranges to identify threats and targets for prosecution with a low probability of being detected. If a target is identified, the data can be handed off to a missile and launch system, or if a target needs further identification and classification, the data is handed off to the Modernised Target Acquisition Designation Sight (M-TADS) system for increased visual identification.

LBL is now providing increased FCR capabilities with the Apache AH-64E Version 6 helicopter. Version 6 FCR software enhancements provide new operational modes and capabilities, including maritime, single target track, and 360-degree surveillance mode, as well as extended detection range against land, air and sea targets. LBL celebrated 35 years of successful partnership in August. –shp/iz/mgm