Litening offered to the U.S navy’s F-18

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Rafael and Northrop Grumman are in advanced stages of developing a fifth generation of the Litening targeting pod that will be offered to the U.S navy F-18.

Rafael has teamed with Northrop Grumman for the marketing of the Litening in the US market and in some other markets. The pod is already used by the U.S Air Force and marines.

The current effort of the partners is focused on offering the system described in the RFI issued by the U.S Navy for a future targeting pod.

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This contract will include 300 pods and the demonstration is expected in 2017. A Rafael source said that the RFI set a standard that is far better from what the navy aircraft have today and “we will demonstrate something that is better than anything else on the market”

The currently sold Litening G4 includes, among other features, a full digital 1024×1024 pixel forward-looking infrared sensor, and an improved TV sensor for daytime imaging.

The G4 has been equipped with a data link system that enables to receive a variety of data inputs from multiple sources, without further modifications to the pod or aircraft.

Rafael sources said that the new version will have greater range and better resolution.