US Navy Super Hornet LITENING pod makes first flight
Northrop Grumman's LITENING pod has been designed for autonomous target tracking and surveillance (Photo: Northrop Grumman)
Northrop Grumman's LITENING targeting pod equipped on a USN F/A-18 Super Hornet combat jet has made its first flight.
'During the flight, pilots executed manoeuvres and operations representative of combat missions, including ground moving target tracking, air-to-air tracking and target designation,' Northrop Grumman stated in a 7 September news release. 'The pilots also engaged the eye-safe training laser mode that allows the pod to be used for realistic training with combat controllers on the ground.'
LITENING was selected by the USN in early 2022 with capabilities including autonomous target tracking, surveillance.
The pod features daylight and FLIR sensors with colour video in high definition, plug-and-play data links and a modular design, according to Northrop Grumman company literature.
The manufacturer also noted that more than 900 LITENING systems have been delivered to the USMC, USAF, Air National Guard and international customers.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
How do we detect and defeat enemy drones?
Learn about the portfolio of sensors and effectors for the complete counter-UAS mission at Raytheon, an RTX business.
-
BAE Systems lauds counter-UAS drone progression with live fire trials
The US-based tests successfully demonstrated the first live trial of a precision guided missile from a modified TRV-150 drone which destroyed both aerial and ground targets.
-
Kratos Defense makes European CCA push with Airbus partnership
Kratos’ XQ-58A Valkyrie will be equipped with an Airbus-made mission system to be offered as a ‘European’ collaborative combat aircraft option to the German Air Force.
-
Anduril’s Barracuda-100M completes latest successful test flights
The munitions variant of the Barrauda-100 autonomous air vehicle is being tested for the US Army’s High-Speed Manoeuvrable Missile (HSMM) testbed programme, with further flight tests expected in 2026.