by C. Zachary Hofer, Electronic Systems Analyst, Forecast International.
On June 12, the U.S. State Department approved a Foreign Military Sale to India of six AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. The contract carries a potential value of $930 million. The contract also covers a host of specialized mission electronics, including the APG-78 Longbow fire control radar and M-TADS/PNVS electro-optical system.
The APG-78 Longbow radar is a K-band fire control radar designed for use aboard the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. The radar sits atop the helicopter’s rotormast, where it provides a day/night, all-weather, fire-and-forget system for onboard missiles. Based on known contracts, the APG-78 radar has an approximate cost of $3.5 million per unit, with the specific cost depending on factors such as the number of units procured, the inclusion of support services, and localization costs. Among the large number of AH-64 operators, major customers of the APG-78 include South Korea and the United Arab Emirates, both of which are currently taking delivery of the system.
The Modernized Target Acquisition Designation System/Pilot Night Vision System (M-TADS/PNVS) is an electro-optical targeting and operational safety unit that was designed especially for use aboard the AH-64 platform. The unit appears as a swiveling turret mounted to the nose of the helicopter. When it was introduced in 2005, the M-TADS/PNVS cost approximately $3.1 million per unit. Since then, the M-TADS/PNVS has been enhanced with hardware and software upgrades, but the average price is thought to have stayed about the same.
These electronic systems will give India six modern attack helicopter platforms. All of the onboard sensor systems have been integrated with the latest weapons technology, which will give the country’s forces a strong chance to claim air support superiority.
Reports on the APG-78 radar and M-TADS/PNVS system are available in Forecast International’s Airborne Electronics Forecast, Electro-Optical Systems Forecast, and Radar Systems Forecast products. A report on the AH-64 Apache is available in the Rotorcraft Forecast, and a report on the retrofit and modernization market for the AH-64 is available in the Airborne Retrofit & Modernization Forecast. Forecast International can provide clients with a wider view of these markets with its Platinum Forecast System, which includes 10 years of historical data and 15-year, up-to-the-hour forecasts for the systems covered in the market reports.
Please feel free to use this content with Forecast International and analyst attributions, along with a link to the article. Contact Ray Peterson at +1 (203) 426-0800 or via email at ray.peterson@forecast1.com for additional analysis.
FI’s eight Electronic Systems Market Intelligence Services cover the full range of defense-related systems and programs in the radar, communications, electro-optical, and electronic warfare markets, presenting a comprehensive market outlook for current equipment as well as new systems being developed as the modern battlefield moves toward a technology-based warfare approach with network-centric capabilities.
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