TADS/PNVS
The Target Acquisition and Designation Sights, Pilot Night Vision System (TADS/PNVS) is the combined sensor and targeting unit fitted to the Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter. Both systems are independent, but housed together.
Lockheed Martin signed the original TADS/PNVS production contract on 30 April 1982, and the first TADS/PNVS system was fielded in 1983.[1]
Target Acquisition and Designation Sights (TADS)
TADS contains stabilized electro-optical sensors, a
TADS contains a thermographic camera and a monochrome daylight television camera. With the improvements planned with M-TADS in the block III level AH-64D, the monochrome TV-camera is planned to be replaced with a full color camera.
It also used to contain direct-view optics (DVO) which the copilot/gunner (CPG) could see through the Optical Relay Tube (ORT). But in recently fielded models of the AH-64D the ORT along with the DVO has been removed as it was rarely used. It has been replaced in the co-pilot's cockpit by a third Multi Purpose Display.
Pilot Night Vision System
Mounted above the TADS, the Pilot
Arrowhead upgrade
As of 2005 a program was under way to upgrade the U.S. Apache fleet to the Modernized-TADS/PNVS (M-TADS/PNVS) standard, also known as Arrowhead.[2] This upgrade is claimed to give a 150% performance and reliability improvement, while reducing costs through lower maintenance requirements.[3]
References
- ^ "Lockheed Martin Awarded $385.6 Million Arrowhead Production Contract" Archived 2013-07-18 at archive.today. (Press Release) 26 June 2006. Lockheed Martin. Retrieved 18 July 2013
- ^ $262.4M in Arrowheads for Apaches Defense Industry Daily, 2 May 2005
- ^ "Arrowhead (M-TADS/PNVS)". Lockheed Martin. Retrieved 18 July 2013.