Business · Companies · 1 day ago
Lockheed Martin to back Canadian Apache night-vision sensor development
Lockheed Martin will invest in PV Labs in Canada to develop a new pilot night-vision sensor for the AH-64E Apache helicopter.
PV Labs, an Ontario aerospace company, will work on the sensor’s design, prototypes, testing and preparation for production.
The project aims to help Apache crews operate at night, in bad weather and when visibility is limited.
The investment is tied to Canada’s purchase of 26 HIMARS launchers under a policy that links defence procurement to industrial benefits for Canada.
The sensor is intended for a different military platform from the HIMARS launchers, and putting it on the Apache remains a development goal.
The work is expected to build Canadian sensor technology and manufacturing capacity and could help PV Labs enter global supply chains.
The plan is multi-year, but no investment amount or qualification timetable has been disclosed.
Lockheed Martin will invest in Canadian company PV Labs to develop a next-generation pilot night-vision sensor for the AH-64E Apache helicopter.
The sensor is intended to improve operations at night, in adverse weather and in degraded visual conditions.
The investment framework was approved under Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy and is linked to Canada’s procurement of 26 HIMARS launchers.
PV Labs is expected to support sensor design, prototyping, qualification and production readiness.
The sources do not disclose the investment amount or a qualification timetable.
- Who
- Lockheed Martin and Canadian company PV Labs.
- What
- Lockheed Martin will invest in PV Labs to develop a next-generation Apache pilot night-vision sensor.
- When
- The framework was reported as approved in October 2026. A development timetable was not stated.
- Where
- Canada; PV Labs is identified as a Canadian company.
- Why
- To develop a sensor for Apache operations in darkness, adverse weather and degraded visual conditions, while supporting Canadian defence technology and manufacturing.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Canadian Defence Review reported that the investment framework had been approved under Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy.
Defence Industry Europe reported that Lockheed Martin would invest in PV Labs to develop the Apache sensor.
- Aircraft
- AH-64E Apache helicopter
- Canadian company
- PV Labs
- Sensor
- Next-generation Pilot Night Vision Sensor
- HIMARS procurement
- 26 launchers
- Policy
- Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy
3 sources
What people are saying
With over 85 years of presence and partnership in Canada, we are dedicated to strengthening a Canadian defence industry that drives meaningful economic impact
Working alongside Lockheed Martin and supported by Canada’s ITB Policy, we have the opportunity to develop a world-class pilotage sensor capability while strengthening Canada’s advanced defence technology and manufacturing base
Through this partnership with Lockheed Martin, PV Labs will enhance the Apache helicopter with next-generation night-vision sensors, showcasing Ontario-made innovation at a new scale