 AN/APG-78 Longbow radar on a JGSDF AH-64D Apache | |
| Country of origin | United States |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin / Northrop Grumman |
| Introduced | 1998 |
| Type | Millimeter-wave fire-control radar |
| Frequency | Ka band |
| Range | 5.0 mi (8 km)[1] |
The AN/APG-78 Longbow is a millimeter-wave fire-control radar (FCR) system for the AH-64D/E Apache attack helicopter. It was initially developed in the 1980s as the Airborne Adverse Weather Weapon System (AAWWS) as part of the Multi-Stage Improvement Program (MSIP) to enhance the AH-64A.[2] By 1990, both AAWWS and MSIP were renamed Longbow.[3] The radar is produced by Longbow LLC, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.[1]
The AN/APG-78 Longbow is a millimeter-wave fire-control radar (FCR) target acquisition system and the Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI), which are housed in a dome located above the main rotor.[4][5] The radome's raised position enables target detection while the helicopter is behind obstacles (e.g. terrain, trees or buildings). The APG-78 is capable of simultaneously tracking up to 128 targets and engaging up to 16 at once; an attack can be initiated within 30 seconds.[6][7] A radio modem integrated with the sensor suite allows data to be shared with ground units and other Apaches, allowing them to fire on targets detected by a single helicopter.[8]
The updated AN/APG-78 radar for the AH-64E Guardian has overwater capabilities, potentially enabling naval strikes.[9][10]
