Britain’s
Ministry of Defence(MoD) has awarded
AgustaWestland£194 million to upgrade sighting and targeting systems used onboard the UK military’s fleet of Apache AH MK1 helicopters.
AgustaWestland said in a statement that the system, known as M-TADS/PNVS (Modernised Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor), will provide Apache pilots with greater situational awareness and combat effectiveness. It will also enable significant whole life cost savings to be generated over the operational life of the Apache.
The M-TADS system has been designed and developed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing for the US Apache fleet. The TADS Electronic Display and Control (TEDAC), which is already in service in the US, and the Improved Helmet and Display Sighting System (IHADSS21), will also be fitted to the UK fleet.
Work on the M-TADS programme starts immediately with design and software activities, followed by flight trials in the UK in 2007. The first modified aircraft will be delivered to the MoD in January 2009 and the retrofit of the entire fleet of 67 aircraft will be completed by the end of 2010.
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