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Northrop Grumman has recently announced it had been awarded a contract by the U.S. Marine Corps to integrate its Advanced Tactical Data Link (ATDL) technology into the LITENING electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) targeting pods for F/A-18 aircraft. This enhancement aims to accelerate decision-making during missions by enabling faster, more efficient communication between aircraft and ground operations.
According to the press release, the new system is a significant upgrade to previous data link systems, utilizing the Bandwidth Efficient Common Data Link (BE-CDL) waveform. This new waveform allows for faster and more secure transmission of critical information, such as live video feeds, still images, and metadata. As a result, operators both in the air and on the ground can access real-time data simultaneously, improving mission coordination and precision.
James Conroy, Vice President of Navigation, Targeting, and Survivability at Northrop Grumman, highlighted the importance of this upgrade: “The ATDL enhancement is like upgrading to better Wi-Fi… making live feeds immediately available on the ground – a critical capability in our modern environment,” he explained.
The ATDL replaces the earlier Plug-and-Play II datalink and is compatible with all fourth-generation or newer LITENING pods. This new system integrates an updated processor, software-defined radio, wideband antenna, and improved data recorder, further enhancing the pod’s functionality. LITENING is now the first targeting pod to include the BE-CDL waveform, enabling enhanced higher data transfer rates across various platforms.
LITENING pods are essential for a wide array of military operations, including precision targeting, air superiority, close air support, surveillance, and humanitarian missions, according to the press release. With over 900 pods delivered to U.S. and international customers, Northrop Grumman’s LITENING system remains a cornerstone of modern tactical aviation, offering modular upgrades to meet evolving mission needs. This latest upgrade reinforces LITENING’s critical role in enabling rapid, informed decision-making on the battlefield.
