ARMY AL&T
M-TADS/PNVS vastly improved the capabilities of the legacy system. The most important of these improvements is the FLIR’s ability to simply see better. Visual acuity, measured in resolution (more pixels), increased tenfold. Crews can see things with M-TADS/PNVS that are not visible in the legacy sys- tem. This greatly increased the standoff range to enemy gunners, making the Apache helicopter inherently more sur- vivable. Utilization of the M-TADS/ PNVS systems has resulted in a tre- mendous improvement in mean time between failure and mean time between maintenance actions.
While these statistics are impressive, the real-world result of the system’s field- ing has been the success of the Apache warfighters in the defense of friendly combatants, attacks on enemy fighters, and identifying and neutralizing enemy teams emplacing improvised explosive devices. The M-TADS/PNVS has had a significant impact on combat support for the Army Team. The aircrews now see farther and more clearly, and they prosecute far more threat combatants than before. The result is a significant increase in lethality and survivability for the Apache helicopter and the crews that fly them.
Block III Enhancements The Army signed a development contract in early 2006 with a plan to complete a limited user test in late 2009 and wrap up a Milestone C decision in 2010, in anticipation of entering low rate initial production for AH-64D Apache Block III helicopters. The operational deployment of Apaches in support of today’s requirements makes evident the need to bring the technolo- gies planned for the Block III helicopter through test and into production for on-time delivery to Soldiers.
Flip the calendar forward through design, development, and testing on a rigorous schedule for the AH-64D Apache Block III, and the July 2008
Members of 2nd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment depart for a mission while supporting operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The AH-64D Apache has proven to be one of the major combat multipliers in theater. Apache units provide convoy security, search and destroy, route reconnais- sance, deliberate attack, and area security missions on a daily basis. The AH-64D Apache Longbow pictured here also has several of the mission modifications specific to wartime deployment. (U.S. Army photo.)
ceremony to celebrate the first flight of the Army’s AH-64D Apache Block III prototype aircraft comes into sharp focus. Major enhancements that make up the AH-64D Apache Block III include Future Force connectivity through seamless Global Information Grid communications, availability of off-board sensors carried on unmanned aerial platforms for extended-range sensing, and increased survivability through extended-range sensors and weapons. All of these enhancements are facilitated through open systems archi- tecture, enhanced aircraft performance with an improved transmission and drive system, and reduced operations and sup- port cost for increased aircraft readiness.
New capabilities and advancing tech- nology continue to play a significant role in the future of Apache, as the needs of the ground commander bring about new requirements. Several pro- grams are in the works to respond to these growing needs. The Modernized Day Sensor Assembly will complete the modernization of M-TADS/PNVS to enhance performance and prevent obsolescence. This modernization will include a new laser, a color TV, an internal measurement unit, and an image fusion capability. VNsight, a visible/near infrared sensor, is a low-light-level TV integrated into
the M-PNVS. VNsight provides the warfighter with increased situational awareness and enhanced flight safety, resulting in significant tactical advan- tages blending visible light imagery with the pilotage FLIR. These new capabili- ties are expected to be in production over the next several years and will reach the field between 2012 and 2016.
The Apache has brought about major change in the way our Army fights across the spectrum of conflict. The evolution of the Apache program demonstrates the manner in which a revolutionary change in a product must evolve with the current state of technology while meeting the needs of our commanders. The Apache Project Office and industry partners are com- mitted to ensuring that our Soldiers have the tools necessary to fight, win, and come home safely.
COL SHANE OPENSHAW is the Project Manager Apache Advanced Attack Helicopter. He holds a B.S. in business management from the University of Utah and an M.S. in systems acquisition management from the Naval Postgraduate School. Openshaw is Level III certified in pro- gram management and is a U.S. Army Acquisition Corps member.
OCTOBER –DECEMBER 2010 42
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76
