Apache Arrowhead The Apache Arrowhead ( also Modernized Target Acquisition and Designation Sight / Pilot Night Vision Sensor or M - TADS / PNVS ) , is an integrated targeting and night vision system developed by Lockheed Martin for the Boeing AH - 64 Apache attack helicopter . It uses second - generation long - wave Forward looking infrared ( FLIR ) sensors with three fields of view , a CCD TV camera , dual field of view pilotage FLIR , electronic zoom , target tracker and auto - boresight . It is the second generation of the Target Acquisition and Designation Sights , Pilot Night Vision System ( TADS / PNVS ) first fielded on Apaches in 1983 . Development . Lockheed Martin signed the original TADS / PNVS production contract on 30 April 1982 , and the first TADS / PNVS system was fielded in 1983 . The Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin agreed to initiate the incorporation of new technology into the Arrowhead sensor system during July 2001 . The heart of the project is a large - format staring mid - wave ( MW ) forward - looking infrared ( FLIR ) sensor which uses the staring mid - wave integrated detector / cooler assembly ( IDCA ) used in Lockheed Martin ' s " Sniper " pod . The upgrade is designed to complement the excellent obscurant penetration of the existing long - wave ( LW ) sensor with a longer - range , smaller - field - of - view MW sensor providing the Apache aircrew with enhanced electro - optical targeting performance in all conditions . The new MW electro - optical system can identify targets at greater ranges than the long - wave system . The first Arrowhead production contract was awarded 11 November 2003 . Lockheed Martin rolled out the first Arrowhead system to the U . S . Army in May 2005 , and completed integration on the first Apache helicopters in June 2005 . Arrowhead extends optical targeting ranges and reliability by a factor of two , while also significantly reducing maintenance costs . Quick - access “ remove - and - replace ” modules are designed to reduce maintenance and save nearly $ 1 billion in Army operation and support costs over the 20 - year life of the Arrowhead system . VNsight . The VNsight visible / near infrared sensor is a low - light - level TV ( LLLTV ) integrated into the Apache ' s Modernized Pilot Night Vision Sensor ( M - PNVS ) and Pathfinder dedicated pilotage sensor ( the M - PNVS adapted for cargo and utility aircraft ) . The additional imaging capability in this wavelength complements the long wave infrared wavelength of the existing sensor and adds significant tactical advantages . Using VNsight imagery blended with the standard M - PNVS forward looking infrared ( FLIR ) imagery , pilots can see lighting that was previously unviewable in low - light conditions . This includes lasers , markers , beacons , and tracer rounds , which were not accurately registered with the thermal image over the full sensor field of view . The VNsight upgrade ensures safer flying conditions and enhanced mission capability ( especially in urban environments ) by improving situational awareness in low - light - level conditions and situations where existing light sources cannot be imaged by the FLIR . It also allows the aircrew to see their own laser spot while designating targets for laser guided munition engagements , providing an extra level of certainty that the correct target and aim - point are designated . Enhanced air - to - ground communication reduces the potential for fratricide . Orders . In addition to orders from the US Army , the United Kingdom and six undisclosed international customers have ordered Arrowhead upgrades . US Army . A $ 260 million agreement for the first 55 Lot 1 Arrowhead systems was reached on 11 November 2003 . First deliveries were to begin in March 2005 , with the first Army unit equipped with Arrowhead to be fielded by June 2005 . The Lockheed Martin Arrowhead team outfitted the first eight AH - 64D Apache Longbows with the new day / night vision system at The Boeing Company ’ s Apache production facility in Mesa , Arizona during 2005 . The Arrowhead - equipped Apache helicopters departed for Fort Hood in two flights beginning June 23 , and were officially delivered on 30 June 2005 . The $ 247 million Lot 2 follow - on production contract for Arrowhead was awarded by the US Army Program Executive Office - Aviation on 26 January 2005 . It authorized production of 97 Arrowhead systems for the US Army and foreign military sales customers . The U . S . Army Aviation and Missile Command awarded Lockheed Martin the Lot 3 follow - on production contract for Arrowhead in June 2006 . The $ 385 . 6 million agreement authorized production of 219 Arrowhead kits plus spares for the U . S . Army and foreign military sales . Production of the Lot 3 systems was to be in Orlando and Ocala , Florida . A 2007 order for 158 units in Production Lot 4 was placed for $ 311 million by the US Army . The $ 172 million Production Lot 5 agreement authorized production of 126 Arrowhead kits and / or equivalent unit spares , foreign military sales kits and ground support equipment . With options , this would bring the total number of Arrowhead kits and / or systems to 785 . An order for 55 Lot 6 Arrowhead systems was placed in 2009 for $ 142 million . Lockheed Martin announced a $ 260 million follow - on production contract for Production Lot 7 on 17 August 2010 . By the end of Lot 7 , which extends production through April 2013 , over 1 , 000 kits will have been delivered . By 2011 , 704 US Army Apaches are to be equipped with the Arrowhead system . In February 2011 the 1 , 000th M - TADS / PNVS system was delivered to the U . S . Army . International . Lockheed Martin installed the first two Arrowhead systems on Royal Netherlands Air Force ( RNLAF ) AH - 64D Apaches during 2007 at Gilze Rijen Airbase in the Netherlands . The contract was awarded in April 2005 , and included the delivery of 24 Arrowhead kits as well as spares , specific ground support equipment , training and two Arrowhead kit installations . In August 2009 , the Netherlands submitted a request to upgrade its 29 Block I AH - 64D Apaches to the Block II configuration , including an upgrade to the Arrowhead system . A $ 212 million contract to equip the United Kingdom ' s 67 AgustaWestland Apache Mk1 helicopters with Arrowhead was placed in May 2005 . The contract was awarded by the UK Ministry of Defense ( MOD ) to prime contractor AgustaWestland , with the first two delivered in November 2008 . Deliveries were to conclude in 2010 . On 9 September 2008 , Saudi Arabia submitted a request to the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency ( DSCA ) for 12 Arrowhead systems , along with an order for 12 Block II AH - 64D Apache helicopters . On 22 May 2009 , Egypt requested the purchase of 36 Arrowhead systems as part of an order for 12 Block II AH - 64D Apache helicopters .