Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman venture wins $92 million to support U.S. Army Apache helicopter avionics

ORLANDO, Fla., 31 Oct. 2013. Longbow LLC, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC), won a $92.8 million contract from the U.S. Army to provide Life Cycle Contractor Support (LCCS) of avionics on the AH-64D and AH-64E helicopters through 2016.

Under the contract, Longbow engineers will provide integrated logistics support for Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR) systems equipping AH-64D and AH-64E Apache helicopters. The contract includes support for the AH-64E Unmanned Aerial System Tactical Common Data Link Assembly (UTA) and upgraded FCR Radar Electronics Unit (REU).

"This contract provides high quality logistical and technical support for our existing AH-64D units and our newly fielded AH-64E aircraft, enabling our maintainers and aircrews to meet reliability and capability requirements," says Lt. Col. Steven Van Riper, product manager for Apache Sensors, U.S. Army.

"This is the first contract to provide integrated logistics support for multiple configurations of Longbow hardware on the AH-64D and E-model Apaches," explains Tom Eldredge, Longbow LLC president and director of Longbow programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Providing affordable depot repair for the LONGBOW FCR and UTA systems ensures supply availability and enables our customer to focus on their mission."

The Longbow FCR provides Apache aircrews with automatic target detection, location, classification, and prioritization. It enables rapid, multi-target engagement in all weather, over multiple terrains and through battlefield obscurants. The new Longbow FCR REU provides reduced size, weight, maintenance, and power requirements to the radar system on AH-64E Apaches.

Longbow UTA is a two-way, high-bandwidth data link that enables AH-64E Apache aircrews to receive and transmit data and control the flight paths, sensors, and lasers of unmanned aircraft systems from very long ranges.