The LONGBOW Limited Liability Company, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] and Northrop Grumman Corporation [NYSE: NOC], received a $181 million contract from the U.S. Army for AH-64D Apache Block III LONGBOW systems. The contract includes the first international purchase of the Block III LONGBOW Fire Control Radar (FCR) by Taiwan, which will receive 15 Block III LONGBOW FCR systems.

LONGBOW will also produce 18 Radar Electronic Units (REU), 14 Unmanned Aerial System Tactical Common Data Link Assembly (UTA) systems and spares to equip the U.S. Army's new fleet of Block III Apaches.

"The Army's investment in the FCR enhancements with the Block III Fire Control Radar REU illustrates our commitment to face the challenges of the ever-adapting threats around the world," said Col. Shane Openshaw, U.S. Army project manager for Apache Helicopters.

"The Longbow Apache is the world's premier attack helicopter, and the FCR is one of the key elements that make it that way."

For more than a decade, the LONGBOW FCR has provided Apache aircrews with target detection, location, classification and prioritization. In all weather, over multiple terrains and through any battlefield obscurant, the radar allows automatic and rapid multi-target engagement.

The LONGBOW FCR integrates with the LONGBOW HELLFIRE missile, enhancing the Apache's lethality fourfold and increasing survivability sevenfold.

The new LONGBOW Block III FCR REU provides reduced size, weight, maintenance and power requirements of the radar system. The LONGBOW Block III UTA provides a two-way, high-bandwidth data link, enabling aircrews to control Unmanned Aircraft Systems' (UAS) flight path, sensors and lasers at long ranges.

The system also provides the ability to receive high-quality UAS imagery on displays.

Prime mission equipment and spares production, as well as engineering services and integrated logistics, will be performed at Lockheed Martin facilities in Ocala and Orlando, Fla., and Northrop Grumman facilities in Baltimore, Md. Deliveries will begin in fall 2011.

The contract includes options to extend the period of performance from 2015 to 2017.

Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.