Will Continue to Develop to Meet Evolving Mission Requirements
Longbow LLC (LBL), a joint venture between Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, has delivered the 500th APG-78 LONGBOW fire control radar (FCR) for the AH-64 APACHE helicopter. Recipient of the milestone unit was the Qatar Emiri Air Force.
“The LONGBOW team has been delivering systems for over 20 years to the US Army and 13 international allies,” stated Shalini Gupta, LBL VP and Northrop Grumman Director for LONGBOW programmes. “Delivering the 500th unit is a recognition of the significant operational performance capabilities of reconnaissance, attack and security our LONGBOW radar delivers to the global customer community.”
The milestone delivery comes on the heels of being awarded a five-year contract by the US Army in January, enabling rapid post-production support services for the LONGBOW FCR to international customers. Deliveries will continue through 2028, driven by several new international customers seeking advanced FCR capabilities.
“The team behind LBL takes great pride in delivering the 500th FCR, which demonstrates our commitment to providing high-quality, high-performing products to our customers,” said Jim Messina, LBL President and Lockheed Martin LONGBOW Programs Director. “LBL will remain focused on producing and developing the FCR system to support our customers’ evolving, most important missions.”
The LONGBOW FCR provides APACHE aircrews with automatic target detection, location, classification and prioritization, while enabling rapid, multi-target engagement in all weather conditions over multiple types of terrain and through battlefield obscurants. Version 6 FCR software enhancements provide new operational modes and capabilities, including maritime, single target track, and 360-degree surveillance mode, as well as extended detection range capability against land, air and sea targets.
