November 11,
2008: The U.S. Army has developed a new, and higher performance, night sensor
(Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor, or
M-TADS/PNVS) for AH-64 Apache helicopter gunships. The new sensor is more
sensitive, and combines a high resolution vidcam with FLIR (heat sensing), to
show operators details like lighting (street lights or military searchlights),
lasers and much more than any previous night sights. The new system is more
reliable and cheaper to maintain. The images can be transferred to the helmet
mounted sights, and the M-TADS/PNVS will move to look at whatever direction the
pilot is facing. M-TADS/PNVS also contains a laser range finder and target
designator. The army is buying 266
M-TADS/PNVS units, to equip all its late model AH-64s. Deliveries begin next
year. The short name for M-TADS/PNVS will be "Arrowhead."
