US Navy awards IRST21 spares contract
Lockheed Martin will continue to provide IRST21 sensor system spares to the US Navy under a $23.7 million contract with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Aviation announced on 4 August. The company was awarded its first IRST21 spares contract from DLA Aviation in 2015.
The contract includes system spares to support the IRST21-equipped F/A-18E/F fleet. IRST21 flies mounted in the F/A-18E/F centerline fuel tank.
IRST21 is a passive, long-wave infrared sensor system that searches for and detects heat sources within its large field-of-regard, enabling long-range detection and tracking of airborne enemy targets under normal and electronic attack environments.
Compared to radar, IRST21 enhances the resolution of multiple targets, enabling pilots to accurately identify threat formations at longer ranges.
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