Litening Explained

Litening should not be confused with Lightning.

The AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening targeting pod is an advanced precision targeting pod system currently operational with a wide variety of aircraft worldwide. The research and development of the Litening was first undertaken by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' Missiles Division in Israel, with subsequent completion of Litening I for use in the Israeli Air Force.

Litening significantly increases the combat effectiveness of the aircraft during day, night and under-the-weather conditions in the attack of ground and air[1] targets with a variety of standoff weapons (i.e., laser-guided bombs, conventional bombs and GPS-guided weapons). The thousandth pod was sold in October 2010.[2]

Features

Litening is an integrated targeting pod that mounts externally to the aircraft. The targeting pod contains a high-resolution, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor that displays an infrared image of the target to the aircrew; it has a wide field of view search capability and a narrow field of view acquisition/targeting capability of battlefield-sized targets. The pod also contains a CCD camera used to obtain target imagery in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. An on-gimbal inertial navigation sensor establishes line-of-sight and automatic boresighting capability.

The pod is equipped with a laser designator for precise delivery of laser-guided munitions. A laser rangefinder provides information for various avionics systems, for example, navigation updates, weapon deliveries and target updates. The targeting pod includes an automatic target tracker to provide fully automatic stabilized target tracking at altitudes, airspeeds and slant ranges consistent with tactical weapon delivery maneuvers. These features simplify the functions of target detection and recognition, and permit attack of targets with precision-guided weapons on a single pass.

Background

The research and development program began at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' Missiles Division in Israel, with subsequent completion of Litening I for use in the Israeli Air Force. In 1995 Northrop Grumman Corporation teamed with Rafael for further development and sales of the Litening pod, reaching IOC the same year.[3]

Litening II/ER/AT

Northrop Grumman Corporation and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems completed product improvements on the "Basic Pod" including a third generation FLIR, laser marker and software upgrades (Litening II) which was fielded beginning in 1999.

Northrop Grumman and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems subsequently replaced the "320x256" FLIR with a latest technology "640x512" FLIR. This pod, known as Litening ER, extended the target detection range and was fielded in 2001. The newest version, Litening AT, is in production and was fielded in 2003. It further extends target detection and recognition ranges, improves the target coordinate generation accuracy, and provides multi-target cueing.[4]

Litening AT features a plug-and-play bay configured to accept a wide variety of data-links and recorders. Plug and Play II data-link capability offers increased range, digital data recording and an option to incorporate secure, two-way communications over ultra-high frequency (UHF) radios. Litening's Plug and Play I, introduced in 2003, was the first data-link to be incorporated in a third generation targeting pod.[5]

Litening G4

Litening G4, which began to be delivered to U.S. forces in 2008, added new sensors for improved target identification and other advanced target recognition and identification features. The Litening G4 provides significant enhancements in terms of both recognition range and image quality due to Rafaels' AVP imaging capability.[6] The G4's technologies include a full 1Kx1K forward looking infrared and charge-coupled device, as well as short wave infrared laser imaging sensors, color symbology, tracker improvement and enhanced zoom. The Litening Gen 4 technology and capability is also available in a kit form that allows users to upgrade their currently fielded Litening pods. The Royal Danish Air Force is the first international partner to take delivery of G4 pods. Rafael Advanced Systems announced on the eve of DefExpo 2014 a large order for 150+ Litening targeting pods for the Indian Air Force's combat aircraft fleet. Litening G4 pods have been chosen by the Indian Air Force for its frontline fighter aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29 and others.[7]

Litening SE

Litening SE provides laser ranging and designation in support of weapon delivery, navigational functions, and recording and data-linking of generated imagery and data. This version includes a Plug-N-Play (PnP) III(TM) digital two-way, data link LRU inside the pod. The pods are being delivered as part of the United States Air Force's Advanced Targeting Pod – Sensor Enhancement (ATP-SE) program.[8]

Litening III

The Litening III, used on the IAF Tejas, Italian Air Force AMX, and RAF Typhoon aircraft, also provides still image capture for reconnaissance missions in addition to the targeting capabilities found on other models.[9]

RecceLite / RecceLite XR

A gimballed version of the Litening pod for use on drones such as the Predator B or directly integrated into a crewed aircraft, in addition it incorporates multi-spectral cameras and C & XU band communication channels to transmit recon feeds. RecceLite XR incorporates the improvements from the Litening 5 pod.[10]

Litening 5

The Litening 5 is the latest version of the pod introduced in 2019. It improves the resolution of the short and medium-wave infrared cameras and introduces a synthetic aperture radar with a 100 km range.[11] The Litening 5 is being introduced to service on Saab JAS 39 Gripen and Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft.[12]

Future developments

Rafael sees an increased market in the future because of the move to stealth platforms which must have targeting systems built in. In 2013 the company was developing a new model to compete for the F-35 requirement.[13] At present F-35's have the equivalent of a Lockheed Martin Sniper XR called the EOTS (Electro Optical Targeting System) built in[14] and from batch 4 the Advanced EOTS with improved cameras.[15] However, in 2020 the delivery to the Israeli airforce of a prototype F-35I with the EOTS's apertures covered over fueled speculation that the F-35I would incorporate a version of the Litening 5 over the Advanced EOTS upgrade.[16]

General characteristics

Aircraft use

Operators

Current operators

Litening II Pods supplied by Rafael/Zeiss Optronik joint venture
Netherlands
Litening III RD & EF pods supplied by Ultra Electronics Limited

Former operators

Comparable Systems

See Also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening Low Risk, Next Generation Targeting Pod . 2016-10-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161026143741/http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/litening/Pages/default.aspx . 2016-10-26 . live .
  2. Web site: ATP-SE: Litening Strikes as USAF Splits Future Targeting Pod Orders. 2010-10-30. https://web.archive.org/web/20101027054742/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/ATP-SE-Litening-Strikes-as-USAF-Splits-Future-Targeting-Pod-Orders-06614/. 2010-10-27. live.
  3. Web site: Litening . Deagel.com . Deagel . 7 June 2021.
  4. Web site: U.S. Air Force Factsheet: Litening II/ER/AT. https://web.archive.org/web/20030624084136/http://www.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?fsID=114. dead. June 24, 2003.
  5. Northrop Grumman Northrop Grumman Delivers New Advanced Data-Link to U.S. Marine Corps for Litening Targeting Pods http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=146182
  6. Northrop Grumman Receives $120 Million Order to Supply Litening Gen 4 Targeting Sensor Systems including RAFAEL AVP (Advanced Video Processor) System http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=150983
  7. Web site: India chooses Litening G4 for combat aircraft fleet - SP's MAI . 2014-04-11 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140413145818/http://www.spsmai.com/exclusive/?id=406&q=India-chooses-Litening-G4-for-combat-aircraft-fleet . 2014-04-13 . live .
  8. Northrop Grumman Awarded U.S. Air Force Contract to Provide Litening SE Advanced Targeting Pods http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=204263
  9. Web site: Litening III Advanced Targeting/Recce Pod — Proven Operational Performance . 2016-02-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150717182834/http://www.ultra-cis.com/resourses/Litening%20III%20-%20secured.pdf . 2015-07-17 . dead .
  10. Web site: Rafael to Sell More LITENING 5 and RecceLite Pods. 21 May 2020.
  11. Web site: Rafael adds SAR capability to Litening 5, Reccelite XR EO pods. Janes.com.
  12. Web site: Litening V service introduction to boost RAF Typhoons. Craig. Hoyle. FlightGlobal.
  13. Web site: "Rafael eyes Litening adaptation for stealth aircraft." . 2013-07-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130729235215/http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/rafael-eyes-litening-adaptation-for-stealth-aircraft-388591/ . 2013-07-29 . live .
  14. Web site: "Electro-Optical Targeting System." . 2013-07-24 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130411231052/http://www.deagel.com/Navigation-and-Targeting-Systems/EOTS_a001541001.aspx . 2013-04-11 . live .
  15. Web site: Lockheed Martin Launches Advanced EOTS for F-35. 10 September 2015.
  16. Web site: Let's Talk About the One-of-a-kind F-35I Adir Test Aircraft the Israeli Air Force Has Just Received. 13 November 2020.
  17. Web site: Refael Litening III pdf file. https://web.archive.org/web/20150717182834/http://www.ultra-cis.com/resourses/Litening%20III%20-%20secured.pdf. 2015-07-17. dead.
  18. News: Moralez . João Paulo . New life for FAB's strategic vector . Revista Pucará . 5 . January–February 2021 . 29.
  19. Web site: van der Ende . Cees-Jan . COLOMBIA'S DELTA DEFENDERS . Key Military . 28 June 2022.
  20. Web site: Northrop Grumman to Provide Finnish Air Force F-18s with LITENING Advanced Targeting System . Northrop Grumman Newsroom . 28 June 2022.
  21. Web site: All Finnish Air Force's Hornets Upgraded to MLU 2 . ilmavoimat.fi . 28 June 2022.
  22. Web site: Cenciotti . David . Greek F-4E AUP Phantom II With New Special Markings Visits Aviano On Its Way To The Netherlands . The Aviationist . 28 June 2022.
  23. Web site: Ghaswalla. Amrita Nair. 11 January 2018. Israel's Rafael eyes larger role in India's defence programme. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201111221857/https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/israels-rafael-eyes-larger-role-in-indias-defence-programme/article9750654.ece. 11 November 2020. 2021-11-07. Businessline. en.
  24. Web site: Indian Air Force To Receive 164 Litening Targeting Pod For Su-30MKI Fighters . 2024-08-14 . www.defensemirror.com.
  25. Web site: Egozi. Arie. 17 July 2017. Rafael targets Indian contract with Litening pod. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201109034614/https://www.flightglobal.com/rafael-targets-indian-contract-with-litening-pod/124805.article. 9 November 2020. 2021-11-07. Flight Global. en.
  26. Web site: F-16 Air Forces - Israel . F-16.net . 28 June 2022.
  27. Web site: Tayeset 107 (IDFAF) . F-16.net . 28 June 2022.
  28. Web site: F-16 Air Forces - The Netherlands . F-16.net . 28 June 2022.
  29. Northrop Grumman to Upgrade Portuguese Air Force F-16s With Litening AT: http://www.irconnect.com/noc/press/pages/news_releases.html?d=147539
  30. Web site: Portugal Selects LITENING AT Pods for Its F-16s - Defense Industry Daily . 2023-12-03 . en.
  31. Web site: 2015-08-17 . Portugal faz upgrade aos ‘Litening targeting pods’ dos F-16 . 2023-12-03 . NewsAvia . en-US.
  32. Web site: Portuguese KC-390 prepared to receive LITENING G4 .
  33. Web site: Rogoway . Tyler . Romania Should Give The MiG-21 Lancers It Just Grounded To Ukraine . The Drive . 28 June 2022.
  34. Web site: Singapore's RSAF also uses it (Litening-III on its F-16 fleet), though it has selected Lockheed's Sniper pod to equip its F-15SGs, and will add Sniper ATPs to its F-16 Block 52+ aircraft as well. . 2009-08-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090207195125/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/27m-for-litening-targeting-recon-pods-0929/ . 2009-02-07 . live .
  35. Web site: Litening III targeting pod . The South African Air Force (unofficial website). 2 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130501003731/http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/weapons/71/litening-iii-targeting-pod . 1 May 2013.
  36. Web site: Gripen equipped with Litening GIII Pod (UPDATED II) . 2016-11-22 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161122221400/http://thaiarmedforce.com/taf-military-news/55-rtaf-news/760-rtaf-select-sniper-atp.html/Litening/RTAF . 2016-11-22 . live .
  37. Web site: Escuadrón 161 (FAV) . F-16.net . 28 June 2022.
  38. Web site: Newdick . Thomas . Australia Says Farewell To The F/A-18 Legacy Hornet As Its Final Flight Looms (Updated) . The Drive . 29 November 2021 . 28 June 2022.

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