The UK Royal Air Force has recently completed a series of test flights of the Eurofighter Typhoon carrying Rafael’s Reccelite XR reconnaissance pod.
RAF Typhoons currently use the Israeli manufacturer’s older Litening III pod. Interest in the new system – which has yet to lead to a purchase decision – stems from operational lessons during the US-led campaign against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria.
The Reccelite XR features an infrared and colour imaging sensor package, and Rafael says its short-wave infrared capability provides “significant long-range performance”.
Germany’s air force, which uses the Reccelite with its Typhoon fleet, has recently shared its operational results with the RAF.
Meanwhile, Rafael has confirmed plans to start deliveries of its Litening 5 reconnaissance system in early 2017.
Yuval Miller, head of the company's Air & C4I systems division, says the improved product – which shares the same pod dimensions as the earlier Litening III – has already been selected by new and existing customers.
Miller says the Litening 5 is capable of detecting a target from a range of over 54nm (100km).
Rafael will offer the new product in conjunction with Northrop Grumman in the USA, with the companies to pitch the system to the US Navy once it opens a competition for a new targeting pod.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
