Rafael to supply Litening 5 and RecceLite for M-346FA aircraft
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced on 6 May that it is supplying fifth-generation Litening-5 and RecceLite systems for Leonardo’s M-346FA light combat aircraft (pictured).
It will be the first integration of fifth-generation EO pods with the aircraft.
Guy Oren, VP and Head of EO systems at Rafael, said: ‘This new co-operation with Leonardo opens new markets to integrate our advanced systems to additional light, cost-effective platforms, based on our vast experience and integration legacy in all domains.’
The Litening 5 multi-spectral airborne pod provides real-time, FLIR and SWIR and daytime HD camera imagery. It is in use by 25 different air forces globally on at least 25 various platforms. It enables the use of laser-guided, GPS-guided and EO/IR imaging-guided munitions and air-to-surface smart weaponry.
RecceLite, on the other hand, uses advanced ISR, image processing and AI to achieve optimal data-exploitation at the ground station and produces real-time relay with mission execution in near-real-time.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)]()
DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is set to become a market differentiator for fighter aircraft, allowing 4.5-5th generation platforms to remain relevant to the battlefield.
-
![Finland secures possible $1.07 billion AMRAAM deal with US State Department]()
Finland secures possible $1.07 billion AMRAAM deal with US State Department
The Nordic country is set to bolster its defence capabilities after its foreign military sales request for AIM-120D-3 advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAMs) was approved.
-
![DSEI 2025: UK launches Project Octopus to deliver thousands of interceptor drones to Ukraine]()
DSEI 2025: UK launches Project Octopus to deliver thousands of interceptor drones to Ukraine
The programme will work to build and deploy the drones to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia, coming a day after Poland shot down 19 Russian drones in its airspace.
-
![DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue]()
DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue
The addition of Red Cat’s Black Widow to NATO’s NSPA catalogue opens the doors for allied forces to more easily procure the AI-enabled drone.
