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ORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a $65 million contract to continue modernization of the Apache helicopter's Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system. The total contract value 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. The modifications will ensure M-TADS/PNVS remains the world's most advanced electro-optical precision engagement system for attack helicopters.
"The Modernized DSA replaces vintage 30-year-old hardware -- addressing obsolescence, reliability and capability gaps," said U.S. Army Apache Sensors Product Manager Lt. Col. John Vannoy. "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 (compatible with M-TADS/PNVS Performance Based Logistics). M-DSA also increases reliability by enhancing M-TADS/PNVS mean time between failure rates.
"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.
Fielded since 2005, the M-TADS/PNVS, also known as Arrowhead, provides Apache pilots advanced pilotage and targeting capability when conducting day, night and adverse-weather missions.
Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 133,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation's 2009 sales from continuing operations were $44.0 billion.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin