Global defence major Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $107.8 million US Army foreign military sale contract to provide pilot night vision sensor (PNVS) systems to the Indian Army for Apache helicopters, making India the 15th international customer for the system.
Under the contract, $107.8 million is obligated to Lockheed Martin with a total value not to exceed $215.7 million, said the company, the largest US defence contractor, in a statement.
The contract includes 23 Modernised Target Acquisition Designation Sight (M-TADS) and PNVS spares for India.
Work on the contract will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of December 31, 2021.
Mike Taylor, director of M-TADS/PNVS international and sustainment programmes at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, noted in the statement: “Our high performing reliable sensor system for the Apache helicopter will give Indian Army aviators the ability to acquire, engage and destroy adversary threats from extended ranges.
“The capability that our sensor provides results in enhanced aircraft survivability, pilot safety and mission success.”
Global customersLockheed Martin has delivered more than 1,300 similar systems and spares to the US Army and international customers.
Fielded in 2005, M-TADS/PNVS provides Apache pilots with long range, precision engagement and pilotage capabilities for safe flight during day, night and adverse weather missions.
The infrared sensors’ enhanced image resolution enables Apache aircrews to accurately identify targets and provide situational awareness to ground troops outside of detection ranges.