Lockheed Martin has secured a follow-on production pact worth $19 million from the U.S. Army to provide the VNsight low-light-level TV functionality for Apache combat helicopters. The VNsight visible/near infrared sensor offers important tactical benefits to Apache pilots especially in low-light conditions.
VNsight Sensor; credit: Lockheed Martin photo
The VNsight is incorporated into the modernized pilot night vision sensor (PNVS), the pilotage system of the modernized target acquisition designation sight/pilot night vision sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) for the AH-64D Apache combat helicopter. The M-PNVS is also called as Arrowhead. As per the contract, four U.S. Army Apache battalions will receive 112 sensors and their spares as well as extra foreign military sales sensors from Lockheed Martin.
Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Sensors facility based in Akron, Ohio, offers the VNsight sensor’s camera, while Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control facility manufactures the sensor’s lens and operates as the system integrator.
The blending of the M-PNVS forward looking infrared (FLIR) imagery with the VNsight imagery allows pilots to view military and cultural lighting precisely superimposed on the FLIR image on the M-PNVS’ full 30-by-40 degree field of view. Thus, improved mission capability and safer flying conditions can be ensured by enhancing situational alertness in low-light conditions during which FLIR cannot image existing light sources.
Matt Hoffman, who serves as Arrowhead Program Director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control business, stated that VNsight Lot 2 allows the company to improve 30% of all Apache battalions having M-TADS/PNVS. Lt. Col. Steve Van Riper, who serves as Product Manager of U.S. Army Apache Sensors, commented that when integrated with PNVS output, the electro-optical sensor offers unprecedented composite pilotage imagery.