Army orders more target acquisition kits

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ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 2 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army recently awarded Lockheed Martin a $60 million follow-on production contract for Arrowhead target acquisition /pilot night vision kits.

The Lot 8 base contract includes 23 Arrowhead kits, which are used on Apache attack helicopters, for the National Guard, plus U.S. government and Foreign Military Sales spares and support.

The contract includes options for up to 46 systems and spares for delivery to the U.S. Army and an undisclosed FMS customer.

Total contract value -- including the base and all options, if awarded -- could be worth as much as $290 million.

The Lot 8 contract extends production through August 2013 for the base requirements and January 2015 if all options are awarded.

"Lot 8 represents our continued successful partnership with Lockheed Martin and will provide the Arrowhead upgrades that will complement the conversion of our National Guard Apache battalions from the AH-64A to the AH-64D Longbow," said Lt. Col. Steve Van Riper, U.S. Army Apache Sensors product manager. "These Arrowhead systems will provide AH-64D aviators with a combat-proven sensor capability required to support our soldiers and international allies around the world."

The Arrowhead kit modernizes the Army's TADS/PNVS, known as the "eyes of the Apache," by upgrading the infrared sensors and associated electronics. Arrowhead provides Apache pilots the most advanced long-range, electro-optical precision engagement and pilotage capabilities, ensuring safe flight during day, night and adverse-weather missions.

Lockheed Martin delivered the first Arrowhead kit to the Army in May 2005 and completed integration on the first Apache helicopters in June 2005.