APOPKA, Fla., Jan. 22, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received a contract from the U.S. Army to deliver 275 spare laser transceiver units (LTU) to be installed on the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter's target acquisition designation sight (TADS).
Under the terms of the $23.6 million contract, Northrop Grumman's Laser Systems business unit will provide LTU replacement systems and spares beginning in late 2007. Final deliveries are expected in 2009.
The LTU has both a laser transmitter for range finding and designating targets, and a receiver for determining target range. TADS enables the Apache attack helicopter to detect and identify targets on the battlefield and engage them with laser-guided Hellfire missiles.
"The Apache helicopter has been a workhorse for the U.S. Army for many years and has been very successful in protecting U.S. and coalition forces during combat in both Afghanistan and Iraq," said Gregory Williams, general manager of the company's Laser Systems business unit. "The ability of the Apache to fire Hellfire missiles using our TADS laser has given the helicopter an extremely lethal punch."
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a $30 billion global defense and technology company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in information and services, electronics, aerospace and shipbuilding to government and commercial customers worldwide.