BY John Keller

ORLANDO, Fla.—U.S. Army aviation officials needed a low-light TV camera sensor for the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter. They found their solution from the Lockheed Martin Corp. Missiles and Fire Control segment in Orlando, Fla.

Lockheed Martin won a $19 million Army follow-on production contract for the VNsight visible-light and near-infrared sensor that helps Apache pilots see targets and obstacles in low-light conditions. VNsight is integrated into the latest night-vision sensor pilotage system of the Apache’s Arrowhead Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS).

The U.S. Army AH-64 Apache attack heli-copter is receiving electro-optical sensor up-grades for targeting in low-light conditions.

The system blends low-light and infrared imagery to help Apache pilots see cultural and military lighting overlaid on an infrared image to enhance safety and situational awareness in low-light conditions and situations where the infrared sensor cannot image existing light sources, company officials say.

Lockheed Martin will supply 112 sensors and spares to the Army, plus additional foreign military sales sensors. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control produces the VNsight lens and serves as the system integrator, while Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors in Akron, Ohio, provides the sensor’s camera.

FOR MORE INFORMATION visit Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control online at www.lockheedmartin.com/mfc.

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