RAAF to acquire Litening AT Targetting Pods

[Aussie Digger]

MAJOR BOOST TO THE F/A-18 strike capability​

Northrop Grumman has been chosen as the preferred supplier of a state-of-the-art laser weapon targeting system for Australia’s F/A-18 Hornet fighter aircraft as part of a project worth more than $100 million.
Defence Minister Robert Hill said Defence had recommended the LITENING pod manufactured by Northrop Grumman, with RAFAEL being a major subcontractor.

Defence assessed three systems – including the Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infra-Red pod manufactured by Raytheon and the Pantera pod manufactured by Lockheed Martin.

Senator Hill said the systems will be a vital component of the Hornet’s weapons suite. Northrop Grumman’s bid was chosen because it provided the most number of pods as well as the best value for money.

"The target designation systems will improve the detection, identification, precision targeting and damage assessment phases of F/A-18 air support operations," Senator Hill said.

"The pods produce an image of the target area on a screen in the cockpit, similar to a black and white television picture.

"The pilot is then able to use this image to exactly designate the desired target, to maximise accuracy and minimise collateral damage.

"The aircraft will be better equipped to detect and attack targets by day or night, increasing their operational effectiveness and reducing risk to aircraft and crew."

The target designation system includes a laser system, allowing for the employment of precision laser guided bombs.

The first squadron is expected to be equipped with the new system by early 2007.

This project is one of a number of planned upgrades to the Hornet aircraft that will ensure the potent strike capability of our fighter fleet continues.

Obtained from www.defence.gov.au

Well, I expected the ATFLIR pod to get the nod. Guess the Goverment really DOES want the ADF to be another "arm" of the USMC...

 

[Aardvark Fury]

I noticed in Flight International that the RAF has also acquired the Litening pod to equip its Eurofighter Typhoons:

"The UK is to acquire an initial 20 Rafael Litening III targeting and navigation pods for its Eurofighter Typhoons under a deal with Ultra Electronics worth potentially £20 million ($36 million).

To provide the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon F1 fighters with the ability to detect, identify and track ground or maritime targets before self-designating them for attack using laser- or GPS-guided bombs, the 200kg (450lb) Litening III pod houses forward-looking infrared and colour TV cameras and a laser designator/rangefinder."

I guess with both the US Marines using Litening on their F/A-18s and the RAF equipping their Typhoons with it, this will provide the RAAF with a high level of interoperability and access to US & UK doctrine, training and future capability improvements etc.

As the RAAF & RAF contracts have only been signed in the last couple of months and the Marines are upgrading their earlier versions of Litening to the Litenening AT (III) standard, the capability will hopefully remain cutting edge for some time.

 

[Aussie Digger]

I noticed in Flight International that the RAF has also acquired the Litening pod to equip its Eurofighter Typhoons:

"The UK is to acquire an initial 20 Rafael Litening III targeting and navigation pods for its Eurofighter Typhoons under a deal with Ultra Electronics worth potentially £20 million ($36 million).

To provide the Royal Air Force’s Typhoon F1 fighters with the ability to detect, identify and track ground or maritime targets before self-designating them for attack using laser- or GPS-guided bombs, the 200kg (450lb) Litening III pod houses forward-looking infrared and colour TV cameras and a laser designator/rangefinder."

I guess with both the US Marines using Litening on their F/A-18s and the RAF equipping their Typhoons with it, this will provide the RAAF with a high level of interoperability and access to US & UK doctrine, training and future capability improvements etc.

As the RAAF & RAF contracts have only been signed in the last couple of months and the Marines are upgrading their earlier versions of Litening to the Litenening AT (III) standard, the capability will hopefully remain cutting edge for some time.

The RAAF's pods are supposedly the very latest variants equipped with datalinks that provide for near real time downloads of targetting/BDA data. This means that this pod will provide some capability to replace the dedicated Recce equipped R/F-111's.

The RAAF is also obtained 36 pods for it's budget (the biggest factor in the choice apparently) meaning that more than half the operational fleet will be equipped with the pod.

A good sensible defence acquistion, IMHO. A rare thing for the ADF...