Northrop Grumman received a $71.5 million order from the Air Force to begin full-rate production of Litening SE targeting pods and spares, announced the company on Nov. 12. This contract award reflects Northrop Grumman’s “commitment to providing cutting-edge targeting pods” that give aircrews “the advantage they deserve” when executing missions, said Jim Mocarski, vice president of the company’s electro-optical/infrared business unit. Litening SE, which builds upon the company’s Litening G4 pod, has features like enhanced forward-looking infrared sensors, enhanced zoom, and a two-way multiband data link, states the company’s release. It is capable of producing infrared and visible imagery of airborne and ground targets, enabling pilots to detect, acquire, track, and identify targets for accurate delivery of air-delivered munitions. These advancements offer more accurate target identification and location at longer ranges, while reducing pilot workload, according to the company.
The Pentagon agency charged with building and operating U.S. spy satellites recently declassified some details about a Cold War-era surveillance program called Jumpseat—a revelation it says sheds light on the importance of satellite imaging technology and how it has advanced in the decades since.
