Saudi Arabia to Equip Apaches with Longbow Fire-Control Radars

The Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman joint venture Longbow has secured a contract to supply fire-control radars (FCRs) for installation on the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command's AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.

As well as FCRs, spares and support services for RSAF Apaches, the $90.6m contract also covers delivery of FCRs for the Saudi Arabia National Guard and Longbow mast mounted assemblies for the US Army. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire-Control Longbow programmes director and president Mike Taylor said Saudi Arabia was emerging as one of the largest foreign users of the Longbow systems.

Northrop Grumman Land and Self Protection Systems Division Tactical Sensor Solutions-Aviation business unit director Mike Galletti said: "The Longbow FCR team values our ability to provide Saudi Arabia with a product that will promote greater regional security while providing warfighters with the highest level of protection."

Under full-rate production since 1996, Longbow FCR is designed to provide Apache aircrews with detection, location, classification and prioritisation of multiple moving and stationary targets on land, water and in the air in all weather conditions from standoff ranges.

Powered by two GE T700-701D engines, AH-64 Apache is primarily used for distributed operations, deep precision strikes against relocatable targets, and also for providing armed reconnaissance when required in day, night, obscured battlefield and adverse weather conditions.

The Boeing-built helicopters are also in-service with several nations worldwide, including the UK, Israel, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, Greece, Kuwait, Egypt and UAE. The number of units ordered and delivery schedule have not been disclosed by the company.

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