AN/APG-78 Longbow
The AN/APG-78 Longbow is a millimeter-wave fire-control radar system for the AH-64D/E Apache attack helicopter. It was initially developed in the 1980s as the Airborne Adverse Weather Weapon System as part of the Multi-Stage Improvement Program to enhance the AH-64A. By 1990, both AAWWS and MSIP were renamed Longbow. The radar is produced by Longbow LLC, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman.
In accordance with the Joint Electronics Type Designation System, the "AN/APG-78" designation represents the 78th design of an Army-Navy airborne electronic device for radar fire-control equipment. The JETDS system also now is used to name all Department of Defense electronic systems.
Description
The AN/APG-78 Longbow is a millimeter-wave fire-control radar target acquisition system and the Radar Frequency Interferometer, which are housed in a dome located above the main rotor. The radome's raised position enables target detection while the helicopter is behind obstacles. 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. 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.The updated AN/APG-78 radar for the AH-64E Guardian has overwater capabilities, potentially enabling naval strikes.