The Next Marine Corps F/A-18 Targeting Pod: ATFLIR or LITENING?

Abstract

The Marine Corps is at a crucial crossroads in its constant effort to remain technologically relevant. Currently, Marine F/A-18 Hornets are not authorized to employ laser-guided bombs (LGBs) when illuminating a target with its NITEHAWK targeting pod, due to the pod's low fidelity and increased chances of target misidentification. As a remedy, the Navy and Marine Corps, as well as F/A-18 air forces around the world, are in the process of selecting and integrating a new targeting pod. The contenders are the LITENING AT, in service with Marine AV-8B squadrons, and the Advanced Tactical Forward Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) pod, in service with Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet squadrons. Current plans have the Marine expeditionary (land-based D model) Hornets slated to receive the LITENING AT, while the Marine carrier-based (A+ and C) Hornets will receive the ATFLIR. However, the Marine Corps should equip its carrier-based F/A-18s with the LITENING AT instead of the ATFLIR, because the LITENING AT is equally capable, less costly, and more quickly available.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 07, 2006
Accession Number
ADA498288

Entities

People

  • J. M. Renaux

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Aircraft Carriers
  • Aircrafts
  • Assembly Lines
  • Bomber Aircraft
  • Data Links
  • Fighter Aircraft
  • Guided Bombs
  • Information Operations
  • Intelligence Collection
  • Laser Guidance
  • Laser Spots
  • Marine Corps
  • Navy
  • Production
  • Production Rate
  • Targeting

Readers

  • Aerospace Engineering
  • Maritime Combat Support and Expeditionary Logistics.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Directed Energy