Lockheed Martin Delivers AH-1Z Cobra Targeting Systems to the U.S. Marine Corps

[Someoneforyou]

Lockheed Martin Delivers AH-1Z Cobra Targeting Systems to the U.S. Marine Corps Ahead of Schedule
UNITED STATES - 25 MAY 2011

ORLANDO, Fl, May 25th, 2011 -- Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] recently began early delivery of Target Sight System (TSS) follow-on production units for the U.S. Marine Corps' AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter. The TSS units feature upgraded software to provide additional targeting capabilities.

TSS is the multi-sensor fire control system for the AH-1Z, integrating state-of-the-art sensors to provide pilots with enhanced capabilities to acquire, track and designate targets. The highly stabilized sensor suite includes a laser designator, color video display and a third-generation, mid-wave, forward-looking infrared sensor with advanced image processing.

"The TSS team has been working diligently to assure the AH-1Z Cobra is one of the most effective attack helicopters to counter today's battlefield threats," said Joseph Butera, TSS senior program manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The team ensured that the squadron had the hardware they needed when they needed it, and the sensors performed flawlessly during testing."

The integration of the TSS with the AH-1Z Cobra fire control system gives pilots the capability to detect and identify targets before they fly into the range of the threat, ensuring increased standoff range and precise target engagements in every climate and location.

Lockheed Martin delivered the first follow-on production unit two months ahead of schedule. Early integration of upgraded system software provides enhancements based on flight test results and user feedback. Additional targeting capabilities include a new target sizing function, refined geo-location accuracy and superior weapon alignment. The Cobra attack helicopter achieved initial operating capability in February 2011.

The Naval Surface Warfare Center awarded the initial TSS production contract in March 2008 and a follow-on production contract in June 2010. The system is produced at Lockheed Martin facilities in Florida. Production is expected to continue through 2018.


Source: Lockheed Martin

 

[Someoneforyou]

Target Sight System (TSS)

TSS is the multi-sensor electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) fire control system (AN/AAQ-30) for the U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter. It is a large-aperture midwave forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, color TV, laser designator/rangefinder (with eyesafe mode), and an on-gimbal inertial measurement unit are integrated into a highly stabilized turret. The turret mounts to the nose of the aircraft via the Lockheed Martin-developed aircraft interface structure. TSS provides the capability to identify and laser-designate targets at maximum weapon range, significantly enhancing platform survivability and lethality.

Features:

- 8.55-inch aperture, midwave staring FLIR with four fields-of-view for maximum image resolution and long-range performance

- Multi-mode (point and scene), multi-target (3 image, 10 inertial), robust tracker with coast-through-obscuration capability

- Gimbal stabilized to <15 microradians

- On-gimbal inertial measurement unit for reduced image blur due to jitter and precise line pointing, target geo-location, and multi-target tracking

- A multi-mode multi-target tracker

- Advanced image processing for optimum gain and level, sharper imagery, and algorithms for enhanced recognition and identification range performance

- High magnification, continuous zoom, color TV with field-of-view matched to the FLIR

- State-of-the-art 640 x 512 InSb, low-noise-equivalent delta temperature, high-modulation transfer function detector with a high-reliability cooler

- Versatile modular architecture for future growth

Source: Lockheed Martin

 

[Someoneforyou]

U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Attack Helicopter:

Weapons Capability:
*AGM-114A, B, and C Hellfire and anti-tank missiles up to 16 total
*AGM-114F Hellfire anti-ship missiles – up to 16 total
*70mm Rockets, 19 or 7 shot pods –up to 76 total
*AIM-9 Sidewinder*
(*A superior supersonic air-to-air missile with infrared target detection for fire and forget capability.)
*LUU-2A/B nighttime illumination flare
*Mk 77 fire bombs
*77 and 100 gallon external auxiliary fuel tanks
*20 mm cannon
(With a higher muzzle velocity and flatter trajectory for better accuracy, it is capable of handling M50-series rounds designed specifically for air-to-air combat)
*MK 76 practice bombs
*BDU-33D/B practice bombs
*MK 106 practice bombs

Survivability & Crashworthiness:
Like no other attack helicopter in the world, the AH-1Z survives combat with an advanced countermeasure suite, which includes:

*AVR-2A Laser Warning Receiver
*APR-39A(v) 2 Radar Warning Receiver
*ALE-47 "Smart" Countermeasures Dispenser and
*AAR-47 Missile Warning Device.
...and the latest airframe technologies, such as:

*Energy attenuating crashworthy seats
*Energy-absorbing landing gear
*Self sealing fuel tanks and fuel systems
*Fuel vapor inerting systems
*Mass retention designs to ensure major components stay where they should in the event of a crash, and many other advanced features.

Modern Technology:
The AH-1Z is a design for the 21st century. Produced to meet the stringent requirements of the U.S. Marine Corps today – its aircraft design brings together proven AH-1W airframe reliability, a new composite four bladed rotor system and powerful T700-GE-401engines. With virtually identical front and rear cockpits, fully integrated weapons, avionics and communications systems the AH-1Z flies with the most advanced aircraft survivability equipment in the world. The AH-1Z is truly state-of-the-art.

Best Targeting System:
Target identification is critical in the complex post-cold war and urban conflict environments. The AH-1Z Target Sight System (TSS) incorporates a third-generation FLIR and currently provides the longest range, lowest jitter and highest weapons' accuracy possible of any helicopter sight in the world. In addition, the completely passive and automatic system scans the battlefield without emitting trackable radar, positively identifying and tracking multiple targets at ranges beyond the maximum range of its weapons system.

Helmet Mounted Sight and Display System:
The "Top Owl" Helmet Mounted Sight and Display (HMS/D) system supports improved communication and reduced cockpit workload. Manufactured by THALES Avionics, the TopOwl HMS/D is the most technically advanced helmet available. Upgradeable "in-service" and as additional requirements develop, it combines both avionics function with the aircrew life support and protection into a single unit.

Maintenance:
Designed for lower maintenance, with the helicopter mechanic in mind, the AH-1Z is one of the most reliable aircraft made. Maintenance features of the AH-1Z include:

*Fault detection sensors that facilitate "on-condition" maintenance
*Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals
*Better accessibility
*Elimination of certain maintenance tasks
*Less maintenance man hours per flight hour
*Less spares storage requirement
*Modern Cockpit

Identical front and rear cockpits provide the true ability to fly and fight from either cockpit, so there's no need to have separate training programs for front or back seaters.

The Hands on Collective and Stick (HOCAS) side-stick architecture, allows pilot function without removing hands from the collective flight controls. Color displays are large, multifunctional and combined with the moving-map technology. Helmet mounted displays provide all the information required to engage the enemy more quickly and accurately.

H1 Program Commonality:
Shared dynamics and nearly identical cockpits vastly reduces the logistical tail, procurement and training costs required to support a large fleet of mixed type aircraft. The AH-1Z and UH-1Y have 84% commonality with identical components.

Just as the AH-1W is being rebuilt and redesigned into the AH-1Z, the US Marine Corps Huey helicopters are being rebuilt and redesigned as well. The traditional reliability of the Huey series now contributes to the outstanding performance, state-of-the-art dynamics and avionics of the H1 Program.

Source: Bell Helicopter Textron Inc.

 

[Someoneforyou]

ATK Introduces Hostile Fire Indication Capability for its AAR-47 Missile Warning System
UNITED STATES - 31 MAY 2011

U.S. Navy Approves AAR-47 with Hostile Fire Indication Capability for Fleet Introduction

MINNEAPOLIS, May 31, 2011 -- ATK (NYSE: ATK) announced that its recently-developed Hostile Fire Indication (HFI) capability upgrade for the AAR-47 Missile Warning System has been approved by the Department of the Navy for Fleet introduction. In addition to the AAR-47's longstanding, combat-proven ability to detect incoming missile threats, the new HFI capability provides enhanced protection through detection of smaller-caliber weapon fire and rocket propelled grenades. ATK is the first company to deliver this key capability as part of a proven missile warning system.

With ATK's unique HFI capability added to the AAR-47, military aircrews flying helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft can detect a wider range of threats to their aircraft, and quickly respond with countermeasures. The HFI will be provided as a software upgrade and requires no hardware modifications to the aircraft or existing AAR-47 components. The upgrade is scheduled for delivery to the Fleet later this year.

"ATK continues to enhance our electronic warfare and protection capabilities to meet the urgent operational requirements of our customer," said Mike Kahn, President of ATK Missile Products Group. "We are leveraging the expertise developed during years of design, development, and production to support the next generation of aircraft survivability equipment."

"The Navy's decision to deploy ATK's HFI upgrade to the Fleet brings aircrews the very best protection from hostile ground fire," said Bill Kasting, Vice President and General Manager of ATK Defense Electronics Systems. "We are proud to help protect aircrew lives during combat by delivering this innovative and affordable capability."

ATK's AAR-47 Missile Warning System is a combat-proven electronic warfare system designed to protect helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft from surface-to-air threats. The AAR-47 is the only system in use today that integrates laser and missile warning into a single system. The system is installed on more than 2,600 fixed and rotary-wing aircraft flown by the U.S. and its allies in more than 16 countries. The systems are installed on aircraft such as the C-5, C-17, C-130, P-3, CH-53/MH-53, CH-46, HH/SH-60, AH-1W/Z, UH-1N/Y, and MV-22.


Source: ATK