Navy asks Raytheon to upgrade infrared targeting systems aboard carrier-based F/A-18 jets

July 15, 2015
PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md., 15 July 2015. U.S. Navy combat aircraft experts are upgrading the forward-looking infrared targeting systems in carrier-based F/A-18 jet fighter-bombers.
PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md., 15 July 2015. U.S. Navy combat aircraft experts are upgrading the forward-looking infrared targeting systems in carrier-based F/A-18 jet fighter-bombers.

Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., announced an $11 million order Monday to Raytheon Co. Space and Airborne Systems segment in McKinney, Texas, to incorporate the electro-optical daylight operations improvement engineering change proposal into the F/A-18.

The order involves improvements to the F/A-18's Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) electro-optical sensor unit weapons replaceable assembly, which is built by Raytheon.

Raytheon's ATFLIR pod delivers pinpoint accuracy and reliability for air-to-air and air-to-ground mission support. The system enables F/A-18 crews to perform their missions in harsh conditions.

The Raytheon ATFLIR has plug-and-play performance, and integrates advanced visible-light cameras and infrared sensors with a target laser designator to locate and designate targets day or night at ranges exceeding 40 nautical miles and altitudes surpassing 50,000 feet, Raytheon officials say.

Related: Raytheon gets nod to build 50 more ATFLIR electro-optical targeting systems for F/A-18 aircraft

The Raytheon ATFLIR is in full-rate production for all F/A-18 models to provide air crews with a substantial increase in target detection and recognition range; accuracy and assessment from long standoff ranges; advanced laser designation capability; and electro-optical and infrared imagery.

The ATFLIR integrates laser tracking and infrared targeting functions on F/A-18 aircraft into one pod to free an air-to-air weapon station for additional bombs and missiles.

On this contract Raytheon will do the work in McKinney, Texas, and should be finished by December 2016. For more information contact Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems online at www.raytheon.com, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.

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