Lockheed Martin Develops Advanced Electronic Warfare Capabilities for US Army Apache Helicopters

On October 15, 2024, Lockheed Martin announced its selection for a contract from the U.S. Army’s Apache Helicopter Program Office to develop the third-generation Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI) and Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) system, known as the APR-48B, for the Apache helicopter fleet. This development signifies a notable advancement in electronic warfare capabilities, driven by cutting-edge microelectronics. Lockheed Martin, with over 30 years of experience in developing first and second-generation RFI systems for the Apache, now seeks to modernize these critical systems further.

The AH-64 Apache is a twin-engine, four-blade attack helicopter, valued for its advanced weaponry and reinforced defensive capabilities. Initially developed by Hughes Helicopters in 1975 and now manufactured by Boeing, the Apache was designed to replace the AH-1 Cobra in the U.S. Army. It entered service in the 1980s, with more than 600 Apache Longbow units acquired by the U.S. Army through multi-year contracts. The latest model, the AH-64D Apache Block III, introduced in 2011, includes upgrades such as enhanced digital communication, improved engines, and the ability to control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Equipped with a 30 mm M230 chain gun, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, and capable of deploying air-to-air missiles and 70 mm rockets, the Apache also integrates the AN/APG-78 Longbow radar for precise target acquisition and radar frequency detection, significantly improving survivability. With an armored cockpit and advanced electronic warfare suite, it can withstand hits from 23 mm rounds and has self-sealing fuel tanks for added protection. Reaching speeds up to 293 km/h and a range of 476 km, the Apache serves various military forces worldwide, including those of Egypt, Israel, Japan, and the United Kingdom.

This program builds on years of collaboration with key partners like Intel, Booz Allen Hamilton, and the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E), through the Trusted and Assured Microelectronics (T&AM) program. This initiative includes advanced microelectronics projects like Stimulating Transition for Advanced Microelectronics Packaging (STAMP) and State-of-the-Art Heterogeneous Integration Packaging (SHIP). Within SHIP, Intel’s Altera division developed a Multi-Chip Package (MCP-2) tailored for critical defense systems. Through STAMP, Lockheed Martin and Altera optimized the MCP-2 architecture for electronic warfare applications, accelerating the delivery of these capabilities to the U.S. Army.

The MCP-2 technology is central to this modernization, offering increased power in a lighter and more compact form than previous systems. In collaboration with the Apache Program Office, Lockheed Martin is integrating these capabilities into a more optimized format. The Gen 3 RFI system is expected to support new functionalities tailored to operational needs. A major asset of the APR-48B system is its incorporation of Radio Frequency System on a Chip (RFSOC) technology, marking a first for Lockheed Martin’s electronic warfare systems and underlining its commitment to advancing microelectronics for electronic warfare.

This contract aligns with the T&AM vision of OUSD (R&E) to modernize defense microelectronics, supporting private-sector partnerships and high-integrity, U.S.-based supply chains. Lockheed Martin focuses on the rapid and effective delivery of advanced solutions for U.S. forces. Over the next several years, collaboration with the Apache Program Office will facilitate the development, testing, and deployment of the Gen 3 RFI across the Apache fleet, gradually replacing the currently deployed Gen 2 system.

This ambitious modernization of the Apache fleet’s electronic warfare capabilities marks a new chapter of innovation for Lockheed Martin and its partners. By combining advanced microelectronics with proven system architecture, they are delivering electromagnetic spectrum capabilities in more compact, cost-effective formats, reinforcing Lockheed Martin’s strategic positioning in meeting the modernization needs of the U.S. Army in the evolving landscape of electronic warfare.