OREANDA-NEWS. The U.S. Army awarded the LONGBOW Limited Liability Company (LLC) an $89.8 million contract to upgrade the Apache attack helicopter’s LONGBOW Fire Control Radar (FCR). The LONGBOW LLC is a joint venture of Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Northrop Grumman (NYSE: NOC).

The contract includes the production of 84 Radar Electronics Units (REUs) as well as software upgrades. Production at Lockheed Martin’s Orlando and Ocala, Florida, facilities and at Northrop Grumman’s Baltimore facility is extended through January 2019 under this contract.

“Our top priority is to deliver this new capability as quickly and efficiently as possible to support the Army’s fielding requirements,” said Jim Messina, LONGBOW LLC president and director of LONGBOW programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “The LONGBOW FCR’s REU reduces size, weight and power requirements and increases reliability over the legacy system allowing for better support of Army aviation requirements.”

“We are pleased to continue to deliver LONGBOW FCR REUs to the U.S. Army,” said Anthony Joseph, LONGBOW LLC vice president and director of aviation systems at Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems. “LONGBOW FCR is a highly versatile system that provides an unmatched advantage to the warfighter.”

The FCR provides Apache aircrews with automatic target detection, location, classification and prioritization, and enables rapid, multi-target engagement in all weather, over multiple terrains and through battlefield obscurants. The REU replaces two FCR electronics boxes to reduce overall system size, weight, maintenance and power requirements. The REU also provides the FCR with increased processing capability to support new software features in development.