The U.S. Army has awarded a $14 million contract to Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin for upgrades to the Apache helicopter targeting and pilotage system.
As per the deal, Lockheed will design, integrate and qualify a high-reliability turret for the modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor on the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
Work, which will extend through 2017, will be carried out at Lockheed's Orlando and Ocala facilities. The potential contract worth is $38 million, with this base contract and options through 2015.
Also, the turret will cut the operations and support costs for the current turret assembly — potentially saving the U.S. Army over $500 million in operation and support costs over the life of the system.
Matt Hoffman, M-TADS/PNVS program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control stated: "The new turret design will improve system maintainability while providing a more stable and capable foundation for future system enhancements," said. "This modification is an affordable solution that will ensure M-TADS/PNVS remains the world's most advanced electro-optical precision engagement system for the Apache attack helicopter."
Employing 6,900 workers locally, Lockheed Martin is the biggest modeling, training and simulation firm in Central Florida.
As per the deal, Lockheed will design, integrate and qualify a high-reliability turret for the modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor on the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
Work, which will extend through 2017, will be carried out at Lockheed's Orlando and Ocala facilities. The potential contract worth is $38 million, with this base contract and options through 2015.
Also, the turret will cut the operations and support costs for the current turret assembly — potentially saving the U.S. Army over $500 million in operation and support costs over the life of the system.
Matt Hoffman, M-TADS/PNVS program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles & Fire Control stated: "The new turret design will improve system maintainability while providing a more stable and capable foundation for future system enhancements," said. "This modification is an affordable solution that will ensure M-TADS/PNVS remains the world's most advanced electro-optical precision engagement system for the Apache attack helicopter."
Employing 6,900 workers locally, Lockheed Martin is the biggest modeling, training and simulation firm in Central Florida.