BEAM: Breakthroughs – When Precision Meets the Battlefield

How Andover’s Dual-Band Optical Filters Power the Apache AH-64’s Advanced Targeting Systems

Part of our BEAM (Breakthroughs, Engineering, And Minds) Behind the Light series

The mission: Over 800 Apache AH-64 helicopters rely on advanced optical systems for mission-critical operations. When Lockheed Martin needed a specialized filter for the helicopter’s Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS), they turned to Andover Corporation for a solution that would meet the most demanding specifications.

The challenge: Engineering a dual-band filter that could manage both Nd:YAG laser alignment and eye-safe laser transmission within an exceptionally thin profile.

The Technical Challenge That Changed Everything

When Lockheed Martin approached Andover Corporation, they weren’t seeking an off-the-shelf solution. They required something unprecedented: a dual-band filter that could simultaneously manage a Nd:YAG laser at 1064 nm while maintaining visibility for eye-safe laser wavelengths—all within a three-inch diameter profile only 3 mm thick.

“The design requirements seemed almost impossible at first,” explains Michael Tiner, COO at Andover Corporation. “They needed exceptional blocking performance and superior transmission at two specific bands, all while maintaining structural integrity in a paper-thin form factor.”

Engineering Excellence Under Pressure

The solution required innovative thinking and the full range of Andover’s coating capabilities. The engineering team developed a four-surface assembly utilizing multiple coating technologies—a demonstration of true vertical integration.

The breakthrough came through Andover’s unique approach to managing coating-induced stress. Starting with a thicker substrate, the precision polishing process gradually reduced the assembly to its final 3 mm thickness, countering the bending and twisting forces that complex coatings can introduce.

The finished optic incorporates high-efficiency anti-reflective coatings that deliver precise light transmission at both the primary laser line and eye-safe wavelengths, providing the dual functionality Lockheed Martin required.

Real-World Impact: 800+ Aircraft and Counting

Today, this dual-band filter technology operates at the core of Apache helicopters worldwide, enabling pilots to:

• Accurately align targeting lasers
• Maintain visual confirmation through eye-safe laser systems
• Execute missions with enhanced precision and safety

The partnership represents more than just a successful product—it highlights why prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin continue to choose Andover Corporation for their most challenging optical requirements.

The Andover Advantage in Defense Applications

For over five decades, Andover Corporation has been a trusted partner for organizations requiring military-grade optical filters and precision optics for defense applications. Our laser-resistant coatings and space-qualified solutions continue to power critical missions across the aerospace and defense sectors.

Whether developing next-generation targeting systems, environmental monitoring platforms, or advanced imaging solutions, Andover’s team delivers the same precision and partnership that have made us the preferred choice for industry leaders such as Lockheed Martin.

Ready to discuss your optical filter requirements? Contact our engineering team to learn how Andover’s custom optical solutions can power your next breakthrough.

BEAM (Breakthroughs, Engineering, And Minds) Behind the Light showcases the innovations, partnerships, and expertise that have driven Andover Corporation’s success for five decades. Stay tuned for our next spotlight featuring another great mind behind the mission.