Longbow Ltd to supply mast mounted assembly radar electronics units of AH-64E.

Longbow Limited, Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $164,606,754 firm-fixed-price contract for AH-64E helicopter mast mounted assembly/radar electronics units. Bids were solicited via the internet with one received. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 31, 2022.

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AH-64E Apache from 1st Bn, 25th Avn Rgt, 25th Inf Div, takes off from its landing pad after arming and refueling during the unit's rotation at the National Training Center on Fort Irwin, Calif. (Picture source: U.S. Army)

Fiscal 2018 aircraft procurement (Army) and 2019 Foreign Military Sales (India, Morocco, Netherlands, and United Arab Emirates) funds in the amount of $164,606,754 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting activity.

The AH-64E initially lacked the ability to use the Stinger missile to make room for self-defense equipment, but the capability was re-added following a South Korean demand.

The AH-64E is able to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), used by the U.S. Army to perform aerial scouting missions previously performed by the OH-58 Kiowa. Apaches can request to take control of an RQ-7 Shadow or MQ-1C Grey Eagle from ground control stations to safely scout via datalink communications. There are four levels of UAV interoperability (LOI): LOI 1 indirectly receives payload data; LOI 2 receives payload data through direct communication; LOI 3 deploys the UAV's armaments; and LOI 4 takes over flight control. UAVs can search for enemies and, if equipped with a laser designator, target them for the Apache or other friendly aircraft.