Longbow Stationary Target Indicator Technical History

Abstract : This internally funded Central Research Project recounts the technical history of the Longbow program from IDA's initial involvement in 1987 through events reported from Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. The upgrade of the Apache to the AH-64D model is generally accepted as a very successful program. Nevertheless, shortcomings of the fire-control radar's stationary target capability identified and documented throughout the program's history remained unaddressed. Further, these shortcomings, while documented in DoD publications, did not propagate to the operational Army by informing either training or tactics, techniques, and procedures.