National Guards Receive Litening ER Pods
US Air National Guard Receive Litening ER Targeting Pods- Accelerated deliveries to be completed 10 months ahead of schedule
25 November 2002 -- Northrop Grumman was recently awarded $19.3 million contract for the procurement of 16 LITENING Extended Range (ER) targeting and navigation pods. The contract also provides for spares and support for the pods, to be deployed by Air National Guard (ANG) F-16 fighter aircraft. Deliveries of the new pods were accelerated, from an original scheduled delivery by September 2003, and are now to be completed almost 10 months ahead of schedule.
LITENING ER is a self-contained, multi-sensor laser target designating and navigation system that enables fighter pilots to detect and identify ground targets for highly accurate delivery of both conventional and precision-guided weapons. LITENING ER features include a 640 x 512 pixel forward-looking infrared camera; charge-coupled device televisions; laser spot tracker/range finder; IR marker; and a laser designator. RAFAEL and Northrop Grumman are continuing to work with the ANG to develop further enhancements for the LITENING family of targeting pods.
LITENING II and LITENING ER pods are currently fielded with ANG/AFRC F-16s, and AV-8Bs operated by the U.S. Marine Corps, and the Italian and Spanish navies. Both LITENING configurations have seen combat duty supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. At present, half of the Air National Guard's stated requirement for precision targeting is being met by RAFAEL’s LITENING pods.
For further information please contact
RAFAEL public affairs. Tel: 972-4-8974777
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