The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin (LM) an $80.6 million production contract for the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) on the AH-64 Apache helicopter.

This Lot 9 contract includes production of eight targeting and pilotage systems and spares for the U.S. Army and nine systems for the Indonesian Army. Indonesia is the 13th international customer to purchase the M-TADS/PNVS system. The contract extends production in Orlando and Ocala, Fla., through July 2016.

“This production lot directly supports the AH-64E production line. Being able to 'bundle' our procurement with one of our Foreign Military Sales partners increases our buying power,” said Lt. Col. Steven Van Riper, U.S. Army Apache Sensors Product Manager.

“The M-TADS/PNVS system is helping save lives of our U.S. and allied troops by giving Apache pilots the ability to engage targets accurately, and by improving situational awareness,” said Matt Hoffman, M-TADS/PNVS Program Director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

The Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) system is the advanced electro-optical fire control system that AH-64D/E Apache helicopter pilots use for targeting and pilotage in day, night and/or adverse-weather missions.

Fielded in 2005, M-TADS/PNVS provided immediate performance improvement over the Legacy system, increasing standoff ranging for U.S. Forces while providing aircrews with greater resolution for pilotage and targeting, enhancing situational awareness.

Designed for two-level field maintenance, M-TADS/PNVS will reduce U.S. Army operation and support costs by 50 percent over the 40-year system life. More than 1,200 systems have been delivered to U.S. Army and international customers, with production of additional systems planned through January 2015.