ESM Targeting for the Longbow Apache

Tomorrow’s electronic battlefield will be characterized by an increasingly complex mix of electro-magnetic technologies -- those already in the field and those that will emerge. To dominate this electronic battlefield, today’s attack helicopters must quickly and accurately detect, locate, and destroy these sophisticated enemy air defense systems. This was made abundantly clear during the opening hours of Desert Storm. The Apache aircraft took out the Iraqi radar in the early hours of the war, enabling the Coalition forces to quickly obtain domination of the air war. As a part of the upgrade from the AH-64A to the AH-64D Longbow Apache, the Longbow Fire Control Radar (FCR) which includes the AN/APR-48A Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI) has been installed on the Longbow Apache. The FCR/RFI is designed as a passive, all weather targeting system which quickly detects, identifies, prioritizes and locates sophisticated friendly and hostile air-defense radars. This paper will describe the AN/APR-48A and how it functions as part of the AH-64D targeting systems. This will include discussions on the capabilities and performance of the AN/APR-48A from the pilot’s perspective. The discussion will include a description of Air Defense system’s operation and their engagement timelines. It will key on the enhanced situational awareness the AN/APR-48A provides the Longbow Apache and how the AN/APR-48A detects, identifies, and provides targeting information within the Air Defense system’s timelines.