The AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING targeting pod is an Israeli-designed precision
targeting pod system currently operational with a wide variety of
combat aircraft. LITENING significantly increases the combat effectiveness of
the aircraft during day, night and under-the-weather conditions in the
attack of ground and air targets with a variety of standoff weapons. The
thousandth pod was sold in October 2010. Features
LITENING is an integrated targeting pod that mounts externally to the aircraft.
The targeting pod contains a high-resolution, forward-looking
infrared sensor that displays an infrared image of the target to the
aircrew; it has a wide field of view search capability and a narrow field of
view acquisition/targeting capability of battlefield-sized targets. The pod also
contains a CCD camera used to obtain target imagery in the visible portion of
the electromagnetic spectrum. An on-gimbal inertial navigation sensor
establishes line-of-sight and automatic boresighting capability.
The pod is equipped with a laser designator for precise delivery of
laser-guided munitions. A laser rangefinder provides information for
various avionics systems, for example, navigation updates, weapon deliveries
and target updates. The targeting pod includes an automatic target tracker to
provide fully automatic stabilized target tracking at altitudes, airspeeds
and slant ranges consistent with tactical weapon delivery maneuvers.
These features simplify the functions of target detection and recognition, and
permit attack of targets with precision-guided weapons on a single
pass. Background
The research and development program began at Rafael Advanced Defense
Systems' Missiles Division in Israel, with subsequent completion of LITENING I
for use in the Israeli Air Force. In 1995 Northrop Grumman Corporation's
teamed with Rafael for further development and sales of the LITENING
pod. = Litening IIAT=
Northrop Grumman Corporation and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems completed
product improvements on the "Basic Pod" including a third generation FLIR, laser
marker and software upgrades which was fielded beginning in 1999.
Northrop Grumman and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems subsequently replaced
the "320x256" FLIR with a latest technology "640x512" FLIR. This pod,
known as LITENING ER, extended the target detection range and was fielded
in 2001. The newest version, LITENING AT, is in production and was fielded in
2003. It further extends target detection and recognition ranges,
improves the target coordinate generation accuracy, and provides
multi-target cueing. LITENING AT features a plug-and-play bay
configured to accept a wide variety of data-links and recorders. Plug and Play
II data-link capability offers warfighters increased range, digital
data recording and an option to incorporate secure, two-way
communications over ultra-high frequency radios. LITENING's Plug and Play I,
introduced in 2003, was the first data-link to be incorporated in a third
generation targeting pod. = Litening G4=
LITENING G4, which began to be delivered to U.S. forces in 2008, added new
sensors for improved target identification and other advanced target
recognition and identification features. The LITENING G4 provides significant
enhancements in terms of both recognition range and image quality due
to Rafaels' AVP imaging capability. The G4's technologies include a full 1Kx1K
forward looking infrared and charge-coupled device, as well as short
wave infrared laser imaging sensors, color symbology, tracker improvement and
enhanced zoom. The LITENING Gen 4 technology and capability is also
available in a kit form that allows users to upgrade their currently fielded
LITENING pods. The Royal Danish Air Force is the first international partner
to take delivery of G4 pods. Rafael Advanced Systems announced on the eve of
DefExpo 2014 a large order for 150+ LITENING targeting pods for the Indian
Air Force's combat aircraft fleet. LITENING G4 pods have been chosen by the
Indian Air Force for its frontline fighter aircraft, including the Su-30
MKI, MiG-29 and others. = Litening SE=
LITENING SE provides laser ranging and designation in support of weapon
delivery, navigational functions, and recording and data-linking of generated
imagery and data. This version includes a Plug-N-Play III(TM) digital two-way,
data link LRU inside the pod. The pods are being delivered as part of the
United States Air Force's Advanced Targeting Pod – Sensor Enhancement
program. = Future developments=
Rafael sees an increased market in the future because of the move to stealth
platforms which must have targeting systems built in. The company is
developing a new model to compete for the F-35 requirement. At present
prototype F-35's have the equivalent of a Lockheed Martin Sniper XR built in.
General characteristics Primary function: Navigation and
infrared/electro-optical targeting Prime Contractor: Rafael
Corporation/Northrop Grumman Length: 87 in
Diameter: 16 in Weight: 440 lb
Aircraft: A-10, B-52H, F-14AD, F-15E/D, AV-8B, F/A-18, F-16 Block 2540/50, F-4E
AUP, Su-30MKI, Aero L-159 Alca, Tornado GR4, HAL Tejas, SEPECAT Jaguar of Indian
airforce, Eurofighter Typhoon, JAS-39 Gripen, Brazilian airforce: A-1M AMX
International AMX, F-5M Northrop F-5. Sensors: Infrared detector, CCD-TV
camera, laser rangefinder and laser designator
Date Deployed: February 2000 Unit Cost: $1.4 million
Operators = Current operators=
Australia Royal Australian Air Force
FB5 LITENING AT Block 1) Brazil
Brazilian Air Force AMX
F-5M Colombia
Colombian Air Force IAI KfirC10/C12
Denmark Royal Danish Air Force
F-168 LITENING G4) Chile
Chilean Air Force F-16
Czech Republic Czech Air Force
JAS-39 Gripen(Rafael/Zeiss Optronics LITENING III)
L-159 Alca Finland
Finnish Air Force McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet5
LITENING AT Block 2) Germany
Litening II Pods supplied by Rafael/Zeiss Optronik joint venture
German Air Force Panavia Tornado
Eurofighter Typhoon Greece
Hellenic Air Force F-4E AUP
Hungary Hungarian Air Force
JAS-39 Indonesia
Indonesian Air Force F-16
India Indian Air Force
Sukhoi Su-30 MKI HAL Tejas
SEPECAT Jaguar Dassault Mirage 2000H
Mikoyan MiG-29K(unconfirmed) Israel
Israeli Air Force F-15I
General Dynamics F-16 D Brakeet General Dynamics F-16 I Sufa
Italy Italian Air Force
AMX Panavia Tornado
Italian Navy AV-8B+ Harrier2 LITENING II upgraded to
Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-28(V)4 LITENING AT Block 0)
Kazakhstan Kazahstan Air Force
Su-27UBM2 Flanker Netherlands
Royal Netherlands Air Force General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon6
LITENING AT Block 2) Portugal
Portuguese Air Force General Dynamics F-16 Fighting
Falcon(Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-28(V)6 LITENING AT Block 2)
Romania Romanian Air Force
MiG-21 LanceR A MiG-21 LanceR C
Singapore Republic of Singapore Air Force
General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon South Africa
South African Air Force JAS-39
Sweden Swedish Air Force
JAS-39 Spain
Spanish Air Force/Navy AV-8B+ Harrier(Northrop Grumman
AN/AAQ-28(V)2 LITENING II upgraded to Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-28(V)4 LITENING
AT Block 0) McDonnell Douglas EF-18 Hornet
Eurofighter Typhoon Turkey
Turkish Air Force F-4E 2020 Terminator
United Kingdom LITENING III RD & EF pods supplied by
Ultra Electronics Limited Royal Air Force
Panavia Tornado GR4(Rafael/Ultre Electronics LITENING III RD)
Eurofighter Typhoon(Rafael/Ultre Electronics LITENING III EF)
United States USAF
Fairchild Republic A-10C Thunderbolt II3 LITENING ER upgraded to Northrop Grumman
AN/AAQ-28(V)4 LITENING AT Block 0) Boeing B-52H Stratofortress(Northrop
Grumman AN/AAQ-28(V)3 LITENING ER upgraded to Northrop Grumman
AN/AAQ-28(V)4 LITENING AT Block 0) McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike
Eagle(Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-28(V)3 LITENING ER upgraded to Northrop Grumman
AN/AAQ-28(V)4 LITENING AT Block 0) General Dynamics F-16 Fighting
Falcon(Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-28(V)1 LITENING IIAAQ-28(V)2 LITENING
IIAAQ-28(V)2 LITENING II+ upgraded to Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-28(V)4 LITENING
AT Block 0) USN / USMC
AV-8B+ Harrier1 LITENING IIAAQ-28(V)2 LITENING IIAAQ-28(V)2 LITENING II+
upgraded to Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-28(V)4 LITENING AT Block 0)
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet4 LITENING AT Block 0)
Northrop Grumman EA-6B Prowler(Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-28(V)4 LITENING AT Block
0) Venezuela
Venezuelan Air Force General Dynamics F-16 Fighting
Falcon(Rafael LITENING) Comparable Systems
Lockheed Martin Sniper XR targeting pod Thales Damocles
ASELPOD References