Lockheed Martin and the US Army celebrated one million flight hours for the modernised target acquisition designation sight/pilot night vision sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) during ceremonies held in early August at Lockheed Martin’s Orlando, Florida, facility.

Fielded in 2005, M-TADS/PNVS is known as the eyes of the Apache attack helicopter. It provides Apache 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 engage targets and provide situational awareness in support of ground troops outside detection ranges.

“This system has been touted as a ‘game changer’ for our aviators and soldiers on the ground,” said Colonel Jeff Hager, US Army Project Manager for Apache Attack Helicopters. “It has provided the Army with unprecedented situational awareness and targeting ability that has helped to save the lives of the US soldiers and our allies.”

“This achievement is a testament to the US Army’s and Lockheed Martin’s commitment to keeping M-TADS/PNVS mission ready in support of warfighters’ critical combat and training requirements,” said Dave Belvin, Director of Apache Programmes at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Years of innovation and engineering enhancements, combined with the dedication of Army aircrews and maintainers, have ensured outstanding M-TADS/PNVS reliability and maintainability performance.”

M-TADS/PNVS, an award-winning performance based logistics programme, enhances system performance and reliability by more than 150 per cent, reduces maintenance actions by nearly 60 per cent, and will save the US Army nearly $1 billion in operation and support costs over its 40-year system life.

Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 1,200 M-TADS/PNVS systems to the US Army and 12 international customers. Electronics assembly of M-TADS/PNVS is performed at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Ocala, Florida, and final assembly is performed at its Orlando facility.