Gen 3 DSA

Gen 3 Day Sensor Assembly (Gen 3 DSA) is the next step in the Gen 3 Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (Gen 3 TADS/PNVS) system. The lower TADS turret contains the targeting system, which has both day and night sensor assemblies. The Gen 3 DSA incorporates updated Laser Rangefinder Designator, TV Sensor, and Laser Spot tracker components, elements of which were designed in the 1970s. The objective is to modernize the entire DSA system to enhance performance and address obsolescence, as well as to increase the Gen 3 TADS/PNVS ability to fully accommodate weapons now in production.

The state-of-the-art and higher-performance Laser Rangefinder Designator (including an eye-safe rangefinder) and Day Sensor Electronics Unit replace the Laser Transceiver Unit and associated electronics in the Apache’s legacy DSA. The new Day Sensor Structure Assembly incorporates fields of view (FOVs) that match the Arrowhead FLIR FOVs to accommodate image blending. The Modernized TV Sensor incorporates color and low light level sensitivity. The three spinning mass gyros are replaced with a state-of-the-art Inertial Measurement Unit. The new Laser Spot Tracker uses a four quadrant detector and improved processing. A Laser Pointer Marker is added to enhance coordination with ground and air units.

This modernization effort will provide superior technological and precision engagement advantages to the Warfighter. It will ensure the U.S. Army’s Apache helicopter remains the world’s finest attack helicopter well into the future.