The Army awarded Lockheed Martin [LMT] a $108 million foreign military sale (FMS) contract to provide the Indian Army with the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) systems, the company said Thursday.
The total contract value is not to exceed $215.7 million, with the $108 million obligated at award time. It includes 23 M-TADS/PNVS systems and spares for India. Production of the systems is set to extend production through 2019 at company facilities in Orlando and Ocala, Fla.
The Army award makes India the 15th international customer for the M-TADS/PNVS system.
This system provides Apache pilots with long-range, precision engagement and pilotage capabilities for safe flight during day, night, and adverse weather missions, the company said. It includes forward-looking infrared sensors enhanced image resolution to allow aircrews to identify targets. The system also is aimed at providing situational awareness to ground troops outside of their ground detection ranges.
“Our high-performing, reliable sensor system for the Apache helicopter will give Indian Army aviators the ability to acquire, engage and destroy adversary threats from extended ranges. The capability that our sensor provides results in enhanced aircraft survivability, pilot safety and mission success,” Mike Taylor, director of M-TADS/PNVS international and sustainment programs at Lockheed Martin, said in a statement.
The TADS/PNVS system was first fielded in 2005 with over 1,300 systems and spared delivered to all customers.