Apache Longbow now has dramatic improvements in range aand angular accuracy of threat detection,location and identification of ground and airborne radars as a result of AN/APR-48A.

This Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI), a passive all-weather radar detection system made by Lockheed Martin,though it was developed by Loral - taken over by Lockheed Martin in early 1996 -- has been given to the US Army for tests and has met or exceeded every operation requirement.

This RFI is designed to minimise target acquisition and platform exposure times. The system is mounted above the AH-64D helicopter rotor blades and the makers claim it provides a reduction in pilot targeting workload by 80per cent.They also claim,as a result of enhanced situational awareness and targeting capabilities that RFI helps to eliminate fratricide.

Apache Longbow began as a joint venture by Lockheed Martin,Westinghouse and McDonnell Douglas,the last named being merged with Boeing towards the end of 1996.

The current programme objective calls for 227 Longbow fire control radar mission kits to be installed on the modernised Apache fleet. Operational Test and Evaluation in the early part of 1995 proved Apache Longbow to be an operationally effective and suitable system.

From a news release by Lockheed-Martin