$76M in Block III Radar Units for AH-64 Attack Helicopters

Radar mast up top The Lockheed Martin/ Northrop-Grumman joint venture Longbow L.L.C. in Orlando, FL received a $76 million increment as part of a $100 million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for Apache Block III Radar Electronics Units. Work will be performed in Baltimore, MD (50%), and Orlando, FL (50%), and is expected to be complete by Dec. 30, 2008. This was a sole source contract initiated on Jan. 11, 2006 by the Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-05-C-0239). The radar upgrades are part of a larger set of programs aimed at upgrading the US Army’s AH-64 Apache fleet. With the collapse of the RAH-66 Comanche program, and rededication of its funding into the Bell 407 Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), and hopefully the Future Cargo Aircraft (FCA) to replace the Army’s C-123 Sherpa planes, the Apache will be the USA’s primary attack helicopter for several more decades. Joint Common Missile Overall AH-64D Longbow Block III improvements, slated for 2008 on, incorporate 25 technology insertions as part of the Army’s future force plan. Production of Block III Apaches is scheduled to begin in Mesa, AZ around 2010, following completion of current Apache production work. edefense […]