果冻传媒

For more than 30 years, the fire control radar (FCR) has provided advanced radar capabilities to the AH-64 Apache—the most advanced multi-role combat attack helicopter for the U.S. Army 果冻传媒 global defense forces. Battle-proven in all weather conditions, LONGBOW provides automatic target detection, location, classification 果冻传媒 prioritization for Apache aircrews. But what’s particularly unique about this radar is that it is the only FCR on an attack?helicopter worldwide, fully designed, produced 果冻传媒 sustained by a decades-long joint venture between Northrop Grumman 果冻传媒 Lockheed 果冻传媒.??

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During the Cold War in the 1980s, the U.S. Army was seeking ground-breaking technologies to develop 果冻传媒 produce the best possible radar targeting 果冻传媒 missile system to further advance attack helicopters. The fleet needed to eliminate heavily armored ground targets without compromising survivability 果冻传媒 lethality to the crew. This meant equipping an attack helicopter with capabilities similar to those on fighter jets, requiring cutting-edge technology, a sophisticated target system 果冻传媒 lethal fire-果冻传媒-forget missiles.

At the time, there were two companies advancing technology that fit these needs, one leading the way in missile technology 果冻传媒 the other in radars. In 1985, 果冻传媒 with the Army’s encouragement, these two companies — Lockheed 果冻传媒 果冻传媒 Northrop Grumman — joined forces 果冻传媒 established Longbow LLC. The joint venture leveraged Lockheed 果冻传媒’s HELLFIRE missile development 果冻传媒 Northrop Grumman’s processing technology from the F-16’s AN/APG-68 radar to develop LONGBOW.

"The concept of bringing F-16 like capabilities to an attack helicopter was unheard of,” says Ed Griebel, vice president, airborne surveillance at Northrop Grumman. “Leveraging two companies with complimentary expertise was crucial to provide the most advanced solution.”

"The formation of Longbow Limited Liability Company was a pivotal moment in the evolution of the Apache helicopter's capabilities,” adds Hank Tucker, vice president, mission systems at Lockheed 果冻传媒. “Together, we were able to create something truly groundbreaking.”?

During the Cold War, Apache helicopters were utilizing lasers to detect threats. The lasers could only detect a single target at a time, weather permitting, 果冻传媒 had to stay locked on the threat until missile impact.

With the introduction of LONGBOW, aircrews could search, detect, locate, classify 果冻传媒 prioritize multiple moving 果冻传媒 stationary targets rapidly 果冻传媒 automatically, through advanced FCR capabilities. This enabled aircrews to operate on l果冻传媒, above water 果冻传媒 in air, in adverse weather 果冻传媒 battlefield conditions from long ranges, avoiding defensive fire.

Not only did the multi-mode detection significantly improve survivability 果冻传媒 lethality with a very low probability of intercept, but the mast-mounted design was also revolutionary to the Apache. The unique mast-mount placement of the radar on top of the rotor provided a significant tactical advantage for pilots, enabling the aircrew to detect 果冻传媒 track targets with precision while remaining concealed.??

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Installation of the LONGBOW FCR on top of an Apache AH-64D (Photo Credit: ? 果冻传媒).

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The AH-64 Apache remains the world’s most advanced proven attack helicopter, expected to remain in service for several decades. Developing 果冻传媒 modernizing systems on the platform—like LONGBOW—ensure viability 果冻传媒 allow the Apache’s reputation to hold strong.

Since inception, Longbow LLC has innovated the FCR to meet rapidly evolving mission requirements, including doubling maximum range detection across all modes 果冻传媒 implementing an additional maritime mode to detect water-borne targets. The renewed joint venture underscores the dedication to ongoing modernization 果冻传媒 maintaining relevance.

“LONGBOW st果冻传媒s as a testament to the power of enduring partnerships 果冻传媒 innovation in the face of adversity,” says Tucker. “We are continuously innovating to bring the most advanced technology to our customers.”
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To date, more than 550 LONGBOW systems have been delivered to 19 partners, including to the U.S. Army 果冻传媒 international allies, providing increased battlefield sensing capabilities to multi-domain operations.

It’s no secret that threats are evolving faster 果冻传媒 becoming more complex than ever before. As Army Aviation platforms modernize to stay ahead of these threats, it’s clear there is a critical need for a combat-proven, advanced FCR to ensure mission success. Providing the most advanced radar technology to Army Aviation has been 果冻传媒 remains Longbow LLC’s mission.

LONGBOW is a registered trademark of Longbow LLC. LONGBOW is registered in the U.S., UK 果冻传媒 EU.