The U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin Apache Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) team was honored with a 2013 Secretary of Defense Performance Based Logistics (PBL) Award recognizing outstanding achievements in providing soldiers with exceptional operational support.  

The team received the subsystem level PBL award, which is one of three presented annually to recognize government/industry teams that have demonstrated outstanding achievements. The team was also selected for this award in 2011.

The award was specifically presented to the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Aviation, Apache Program Management Office and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. Apache M-TADS/PNVS PBL is affordable, flexible and provides the soldier critical assets wherever and whenever needed.

“I'm so proud of the accomplishments and success of the Apache Sensors U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin PBL team. Our PBL support strategy allows Apache to strategically attack reliability, maintainability and obsolescence issues in ways that were not previously possible,” said Terri Schwierling, Chief of the Apache Sustainment Division within the U.S. Army Apache Helicopters Project Office.

“The Apache Sensors PBL program is a comprehensive supply chain solution that enables outstanding system mission readiness, improves reliability and maintainability, and reduces sustainment costs using innovative supply concepts,” said David Belvin, Director of Apache programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

“The strong partnership between the U.S. Army and Lockheed Martin contributes to the mission success of the Apache and the soldier,” he added.

The Apache M-TADS/PNVS PBL program provides efficiencies in supply chain management and critical global sustainment support to warfighters worldwide. During its peak operational tempo of more than 200,000 flying hours, the M-TADS/PNVS program exceeded the supply availability metric goal each month, resulting in an impressive worldwide average supply availability rate of 98 percent.

The M-TADS/PNVS system provides Apache attack helicopter pilots with long-range, precision engagement and pilotage capabilities for mission success and flight safety in day, night and adverse weather missions. Forward-looking infrared sensors provide enhanced image resolution that enables Apache aircrews to prosecute targets and provide situational awareness in support of ground troops outside detection ranges. The system was first fielded in 2005.