Lockheed to upgrade IRST21
Lockheed Martin has received two contracts from Boeing to upgrade the Infrared Search and Track 21 (IRST21) sensor system used on the US Navy's F/A-18E/F fleet, the company announced on 19 October.
The Block II upgrade contracts, totalling up to $100 million, will see Lockheed Martin develop advanced software, perform hardware upgrades and deliver prototypes for the technology update.
The IRST21 sensor system uses IR search and track technology to detect and track airborne threats. Compared to radar, IRST21 enhances the resolution of multiple targets, enabling pilots to identify threat formations accurately at longer ranges.
The upgrade work will improve IRST21’s detection, tracking and ranging capabilities in radar-denied environments.
Paul Lemmo, VP of fire control/special operations forces contractor logistics support services at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said: ‘The US Navy's strategic block upgrade programme enables us to continue advancing our technology and rapidly deliver it to the warfighter.
‘We are excited to implement the Block II upgrades and enhance IRST21's performance.’
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI]()
EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI
The Portuguese company’s naval communications system is in service across more than a dozen countries. It has turned to its home nation for support in developing a new vehicle based C2 system.
-
![Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker]()
Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker
The Vision4ce Deep Embedded Feature Tracking (DEFT) technology software is designed to process video and images by blending traditional computer vision with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to present actionable information from complex environments.
-
![Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend]()
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
![Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)]()
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
