AN/APG-78 LONGBOW Fire Control Radar

blackhawk helicopter flying over mountains

Combat-Proven Force Multiplier

Developed and fielded for the AH-64 Apache, the AN/APG-78 LONGBOW Fire Control Radar (FCR) is a combat-proven radar that provides greater mission success for Army Aviation. For decades, LONGBOW has repeatedly demonstrated its operational capabilities, providing aircrews with decisive situational awareness, maximum engagement ranges and obsolescence mitigation for diverse roles and missions. LONGBOW is the only fire control radar in the world fielded on an attack helicopter, delivering unmatched survivability and lethality to the Apache.

Multi-Mode Capabilities for Multi-Mission Success

LONGBOW provides high performance with a very low probability of detection and intercept. Its primary combat targeting modes include Ground Target Mode (GTM), Air Targeting Mode (ATM) and Maritime Targeting Mode (MTM), providing rapid detection to engagement timelines. LONGBOW performs wide-area search and precise detection, location and classification of up to 256 simultaneous moving and stationary targets. The system then prioritizes the top 16 targets for immediate evaluation and, if necessary, engagement by the aircrew. LONGBOW enables the Apache to identify targets day or night, in adverse weather and obscured conditions.

Strategically Designed for Tomorrow’s Battlefield

Additional modes, such as terrain profile and target location cueing to the Apache's Modernized Target Acquisition Designation System (MTADS), provide enhanced situational awareness. These modes enable terrain and large obstacle avoidance under degraded environments, including weather and battlefield conditions, for positive target identification.

In addition to the new MTM, LONGBOW provides 360-degree surveillance and single target track across land, air and sea missions and improved detection of smaller unmanned aerial vehicles. And to further extend situational awareness, it now doubles the original target detection range from 8km to 16km and quadruples the detection volume.

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blackhawk helicopter's sitting on flight line

Continuous Support for Long-Term Operation

LONGBOW was initially fielded in 1998 and built for the U.S. Army by Longbow LLC — a Joint Venture with Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. In the 35+ years since, more than 550 LONGBOW systems have been delivered, and in-country support provided, to the U.S. Army and international partners.

LONGBOW’s highly reliable system has extended flight time between maintenance intervals, ensuring the attack helicopters are available for missions more frequently. When maintenance is needed, the process is streamlined and efficient, involving part replacement on the flight line. The combination of prolonged operational hours and rapid maintenance results in significantly lower support costs. Longbow LLC provides continuous support, improved designed and proven capabilities to ensure Apache mission survivability and lethality.

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In the News

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Unmatched Force-Multiplier: LONGBOW®, the World’s Only Attack Helicopter Fire Control Radar

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LONGBOW is a registered trademark of Longbow LLC. LONGBOW is registered in the U.S., UK and EU.