WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB, Ohio, 26 Sept. 2008. Officials the 647th Aeronautical Systems Squadron at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio, placed a $120 million order for delivery of LITENING Gen 4 targeting and sensor systems and related equipment from Northrop Grumman in Rolling Meadows, Ill., to support the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, and the U.S. Marine Corps.
LITENING Gen 4 is a pod-contained, multi-sensor laser target-designating, surveillance and navigation system. The pods are also equipped with a plug-and-play bay that enables them to accept a variety of data links without further wiring/installation modifications to the pod or aircraft.
"Our LITENING Gen 4 system will provide the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, and Marines with the very latest and advanced technology in targeting and surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities," says Mike Lennon, vice president of Targeting and Surveillance programs at Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division.
The fourth generation version of LITENING features the first use of all-digital, 1024 by 1024 pixels (1k by 1k) forward-looking infrared and 1k x 1k charge-coupled device sensors for improved target detection and recognition ranges under day/night conditions; new two-way data links and other networking capabilities to enable improved communications between ground-based and airborne forces; new sensors for improved target identification; and other advanced target recognition and identification capabilities.
The LITENING Gen 4 is also available in a kit form that enables current LITENING users to upgrade their currently fielded LITENING pods to the new system.
