Support Equipment

Apache Fire Control

Also known as
  • Apache sensors
  • Apache Fire Control
  • M-TADS/PNVS
  • MTADS/PNVS
  • TADS/PNVS
  • Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor
  • Arrowhead
  • Gen 3 TADS/PNVS
  • Gen III DSA
  • M-DSA
  • LONGBOW FCR
  • AN/APG-78 Longbow

Apache Fire Control is Lockheed Martin's sensor and fire-control family for AH-64D/E Apache helicopters, combining M-TADS/PNVS electro-optical targeting and pilotage with LONGBOW radar technology. U.S. Army reporting ties M-TADS/PNVS to combat use in Iraq from 2006 and later engagements in Afghanistan, while Gen 3 and Gen 4 releases document continuing Apache sensor modernization.

Apache Fire Control, Apache electro-optical and radar fire-control suite, Support Equipment
Image source: Apache Fire Control

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Apache electro-optical and radar fire-control suite
Service note
2005-present
Designer
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
Designed
2000s
Produced
2005-present
Number built
More than 1,240 Gen 3 TADS/PNVS systems delivered; 500 LONGBOW FCR systems delivered

Specifications

Product family
Electro-optical sensors and radar technologies for AH-64D/E Apache helicopters
Primary fit
AH-64D/E Apache attack helicopters
Core functions
Targeting, pilotage, situational awareness, and precision engagement in day, night, and adverse-weather missions
Electro-optical branch
Gen 3 TADS/PNVS provides long-range precision engagement and pilotage capabilities for AH-64D/E pilots
Day-sensor upgrade
Gen III DSA adds high-definition near-infrared and color imagery, laser pointer marker, and updated multi-mode laser functions
Radar branch
LONGBOW FCR provides automatic target detection, location, classification, prioritization, and all-weather multi-target engagement support
Fielding
M-TADS/PNVS first fielded in 2005
Combat debut
First deployed to Iraq in 2006 with the 1-82nd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion
Deliveries
More than 1,240 Gen 3 TADS/PNVS systems delivered; 500 LONGBOW FCR systems delivered
Apache Helicopter Platforms

Lockheed Martin describes Apache Fire Control products as electro-optical sensors and radar technologies built for AH-64D/E Apache helicopters.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-64 Apache attack helicopterAttack helicopter platform

The Apache Fire Control family is built for AH-64D/E aircraft, providing Apache crews with sensor, targeting, pilotage, and radar functions before weapons employment.

Sources: Apache Fire Control, Gen 3 TADS/PNVS

AH-64E Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-64E Apache attack helicopterAttack helicopter platform

Lockheed Martin's Gen 3 and Gen 4 TADS/PNVS releases both identify the AH-64E Apache as a supported aircraft for the current sensor family.

Sources: Gen 3 TADS/PNVS, Gen 4 TADS/PNVS

Why the suite matters

Apache fire-control sensors are the part of the helicopter that helps crews find, classify, designate, and track targets before weapon employment.

Sources: Apache Fire Control, Apache MTADS combat history, LONGBOW FCR

Sensor And Engagement Chain

The Apache fire-control family is best read as a chain of sensor functions rather than one sight: electro-optical targeting and pilotage, radar target detection, cockpit display upgrades, and handoff before weapon employment.

ElementDocumented roleReader context
M-TADS/PNVSTargeting and pilotage sight for AH-64 crews in day, night, and adverse weather.Army reporting calls it the Apache's eyes and ties the modernized sight to Iraq and Afghanistan combat use.
Gen III DSADay-sensor upgrade with high-definition near-infrared and color imagery plus laser improvements.The upgrade supports target acquisition, designation, ranging, and coordination with ground forces.
LONGBOW FCRFire-control radar for automatic target detection, location, classification, and prioritization.Lockheed Martin says radar data can be handed to missile and launch systems or to M-TADS for visual identification.
AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAH-64 Apache weapons employmentSensor output supports the crew before firing missiles, rockets, or gun systems.Related catalog records cover Apache-carried weapons such as AGM-114 Hellfire missile family, Air-to-surface missile family, MunitionsAGM-114 Hellfire, Hydra-70 rocket system, 2.75-inch air-launched rocket family, MunitionsHydra-70 rockets, and the M789 high-explosive dual-purpose round, 30 mm high-explosive dual-purpose cartridge, MunitionsM789 30 mm cartridge.
Timeline

Apache Fire Control Key Events

  1. M-TADS/PNVS fielded

    The U.S. Army says the modernized Apache sight was first fielded in 2005.

    Sources: Apache MTADS combat history

  2. First combat deployment to Iraq

    The Army says M-TADS/PNVS first saw combat after deployment to Iraq with the 1-82nd Attack Reconnaissance Battalion.

    Sources: Apache MTADS combat history

  3. One million flight-hour milestone

    The Army commemorated one million Apache M-TADS/PNVS flight hours at Lockheed Martin's Orlando facility.

    Sources: Apache MTADS combat history

  4. Egypt Gen III sensor upgrade announced

    Lockheed Martin announced a contract to upgrade 25 Egyptian AH-64D Apaches with Gen III TADS/PNVS and Gen III DSA as part of D-to-E remanufacture work.

    Sources: Gen III DSA

  5. Gen 4 TADS/PNVS production contract

    Lockheed Martin announced Gen 4 TADS/PNVS production to support Poland's AH-64E Apache acquisition, including CSEU and Gen 2 Turret baselines.

    Sources: Gen 4 TADS/PNVS

Media

Apache Fire Control Videos

Apache Fire Control Images

Apache Fire Control, Apache electro-optical and radar fire-control suite, Support Equipment - view 1
Source: Apache Fire Control
Apache Fire Control, Apache electro-optical and radar fire-control suite, Support Equipment - view 2
Source: Apache Fire Control
Apache Fire Control, Apache electro-optical and radar fire-control suite, Support Equipment - view 3
Source: Apache Fire Control
Related Weapon Systems
AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAH-64 Apache attack helicopterTwin-engine attack helicopterThe AH-64 Apache is a U.S. twin-engine attack helicopter family designed by Hughes Helicopters and continued through McDonnell Douglas and Boeing production. Built around a two-person crew, nose-mounted sensors, a 30 mm chain gun, rockets, and guided missiles, it has direct source-backed combat use from Desert Storm and Iraq to Afghanistan, Sinai, Yemen, Gaza, Lebanon, anti-ISIS operations, and recent U.S. operations against Iran.
AH-64E Apache attack helicopter, Twin-engine attack helicopter, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsAH-64E Apache attack helicopterTwin-engine attack helicopterThe AH-64E Apache is Boeing's Echo-model Apache variant, developed from the AH-64D Block III remanufacture program and built around improved engines, sensors, networking, and a two-person attack-helicopter weapons station. Direct source-backed conflict records place AH-64E aircraft with U.S. Army units in Operation Inherent Resolve, the 2001 War in Afghanistan's Operation Freedom's Sentinel phase, and Operation Epic Fury during the 2020 United States-Iran Conflict.
AGM-114 Hellfire missile family, Air-to-surface missile family, MunitionsMunitionsAGM-114 Hellfire missile familyAir-to-surface missile familyThe AGM-114 Hellfire is a U.S. precision missile family developed for helicopter anti-armor missions and later adapted across UAVs, gunships, ships, and special-purpose strike roles. Cataloged combat use spans Desert Storm Apache strikes, Operation Iraqi Freedom aviation engagements, counter-ISIS and counterterrorism drone operations, Israeli helicopter fire in 2023, Ukrainian counter-drone Tempest vehicles assessed with AGM-114L Longbow missiles, and the secretive AGM-114R9X kinetic variant reported in low-collateral targeted strikes.
IRST21 Sensor System, Passive long-wave infrared search-and-track sensor system, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentIRST21 Sensor SystemPassive long-wave infrared search-and-track sensor systemIRST21 is Lockheed Martin's passive long-wave infrared search-and-track sensor family for fighter aircraft, packaged either inside the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet centerline tank or in the modular Legion Pod. It gives aircraft a non-emitting air-to-air detection and tracking channel, has supported F-15C missile-cue testing with AIM-9X and AIM-120 shots, and moved into Navy IRST Block II fielding for the Super Hornet in 2025.

Sources

Apache Fire ControlPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Apache Fire Control family background, AH-64D/E Apache fit, product scope, product-family module labels, and image provenance for the banner and module graphics. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Gen 3 TADS/PNVSPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Gen 3 TADS/PNVS background, AH-64D/E electro-optical fire-control role, delivery count, sensor-lineage statement, and gallery image provenance. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Gen III DSAPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Egypt's AH-64D-to-E sensor-upgrade context, Gen III TADS/PNVS and Gen III DSA names, high-definition near-infrared and color imagery, laser pointer marker, and updated multi-mode laser claims. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Apache MTADS combat historyPublisher: U.S. Army | Note: 2003 Iraq War and 2001 War in Afghanistan direct use: documents M-TADS/PNVS first fielding in 2005, first combat deployment to Iraq in 2006, Apache engagements in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the one-million flight-hour milestone. | Accessed: 2026-06-29LONGBOW FCRPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports LONGBOW FCR background, LONGBOW LLC builder context, 500-delivery count, AH-64 Apache fit, target detection/classification/prioritization role, and radar-to-missile or M-TADS handoff context. | Accessed: 2026-06-29Gen 4 TADS/PNVSPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Gen 4 TADS/PNVS production for Poland's AH-64E acquisition, CSEU and Gen 2 Turret baseline context, and current Apache sensor modernization. | Accessed: 2026-06-29