By
LAC Bruce Brown
Air
Force’s F/A-18s will acquire state-of-the-art target designation
systems under a $100 million project.
The project, announced on July 14, will equip the Hornets with
a self-contained targeting and laser designation system to upgrade
the current Nite Hawk Forward Looking Infra-red (FLIR) pod.
Defence
Minister Robert Hill announced that three systems would be assessed:
- Raytheon’s
Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infra-Red (ATFLIR) pod,
- Lockheed-Martin’s
Pantera pod and the
- Litening
AT pod manufactured by RAFAEL and Northrop Grumman.
The
pods produce an image of the target area on a screen in the cockpit.
The pilot then uses this image to precisely designate the desired
target, ensuring maximum accuracy.
The pods include a laser system, allowing for the employment of
precision laser-guided munitions.
The target designation systems will improve the detection, identification, targeting and damage assessment phases of F/A-18 strike
and offensive air support operations.
The aircraft will be better equipped to detect and attack targets,
increasing their operational effectiveness and reducing risk to
aircraft and crew. Defence will shortly release a restricted tender.
Assessment of responses will then be conducted and a decision
on the preferred replacement is anticipated next year. The first squadron is expected to be equipped with the new system by
early 2007.
