Northrop Grumman and Rafael of Israel are working to upgrade the Litening airborne laser designator and navigation pod in anticipation of a US Navy competition to equip McDonnell Douglas F-18E/Fs and refit F-18C/Ds.
The upgraded Litening is being fitted with a third-generation forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) system and advanced laser. The revised pod will be integrated in "April or May", says Litening programme manager Norm Dyson. The pod is being developed by Rafael and the Combat Support Systems unit of Northrop Grumman's Electronics and Systems Integration division. Flight testing is targeted for mid-year, when the pod will be integrated with an Israeli Lockheed Martin F-16.
The pod will then be returned to the USA for planned demonstrations and evaluations, including it is hoped, one for the US Navy on an F-18. The improved pod will feature a 3-5 micron FLIR in place of the current 8-12 long-wave FLIR, as well as improved diode-pumped laser.
"We have not been given an export licence for the advanced FLIR," says Dyson, who explains that the upgraded Litening is only on offer within the USA.
If funding for the US Navy programme is received, the competition could see a a fly-off later during 1997. Other companies expected to bid for the multiple RFPs include Lockheed Martin, Loral, and GEC Marconi.
Source: Flight International
