Northrop Grumman Corporation’s business unit, Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., recently secured an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ), firm fixed-price, cost-reimbursable contract for sustainment, modernization, production and development of the LITENING advanced targeting pod. The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) a $1.3 billion indefinite delivery, the contract was awarded by Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Robins Air Force Base, GA. Work related to the deal is scheduled to be over by Dec 31, 2023.
“Since the first generation of the Northrop Grumman LITENING pod, we have been providing this mission critical capability with our top priority of ensuring that LITENING is ready for any mission, any time,” said Brent Toland, vice president, land and avionics C4ISR, Northrop Grumman. “This initial logistics award continues our 24/7 commitment to LITENING operators and maintainers.”
LITENING is in service with major components of the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, the Marine Corps and several international customers. It has been integrated on a wide range of platforms, including AV-8B, A-10, B-52, C-130, F-15, F-16 and F/A-18. LITENING features high definition video, 1K FLIR and charged-coupled device sensors, laser imaging sensors and multiple plug-and-play data link options. LITENING’s 1K FLIR, 1K charged-coupled device (CCD), laser imaging sensors, advanced image processing and digital video output provide superior imagery, allowing aircrews to identify and engage targets under a wide range of battlefield conditions. Any LITENING pod can be upgraded to the latest configuration due to its modular design.
Northrop Grumman’s widely fielded AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING system is a combat proven, self-contained, multi-sensor targeting and surveillance system. LITENING enables aircrews to detect, acquire, auto-track and identify targets at long ranges for weapon delivery or nontraditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. LITENING’s 1K FLIR, 1K charged-coupled device (CCD), laser imaging sensors, advanced image processing and digital video output provide superior imagery, allowing aircrews to identify and engage targets under a wide range of battlefield conditions. The pod is currently flown by the U.S. Marine Corps, all components of the U.S. Air Force, and international customers. The latest configuration, LITENING G4, is authorized for export to NATO countries.
