Lockheed Martin will deliver LEGION Pods to the USAF
Lockheed Martin will be contracted in 2018 by Boeing, serving as the US Air Force’s (USAF) prime contractor, source selection authority and aircraft integrator, for the engineering, manufacturing, development and production of the LEGION Pod.
The LEGION Pod is a multi-function sensor system that supports collaborative targeting operations in radar-denied renvironments. Its 16in diameter structure houses Lockheed Martin’s IRST21 (Infra-Red Search and Track) sensor and advanced processor for high-fidelity detection and tracking of air-to-air targets.
Lockheed Martin will deliver its first LEGION Pod for the programme in 2018, with additional deliveries planned for 2019. “With a rapid delivery schedule and unmatched sensing capabilities, LEGION Pod will immediately enhance our warfighters’ operations and address a passive attack capability gap,” said Paul Lemmo, Vice President of Fire Control/Special Operations Forces Contractor Logistics Support Services at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
Lockheed Martin previously completed more than 25 flight tests with LEGION Pod on the F-15C and F-16, successfully demonstrating its integration, detection and tracking capabilities. “Our proven partnerships with Boeing, including on our US Navy F/A-18E/F IRST21 and international F-15 IRST products, will ensure successful execution of the F-15C LEGION Pod programme for the USAF,” concludes Mr Lemmo.
Lockheed Martin will produce more than 130 systems to be delivered for aircraft integration within the USAF.
AV