The Air Force recently awarded Northrop Grumman [NOC] a $173 million performance-based logistics (PBL) contract to provide support and sustainment services for the Litening advanced targeting system, according to a company statement.
Under the five-year agreement, Northrop Grumman will provide logistics support, technical support to the field, aircrew and maintenance training, depot repairs and other associated services. Northrop Grumman will support the Litening targeting systems operated by Air Combat Command (ACC), Air Force reserves, Air National Guard, the Marine Corps and Marine Corps reserves. The company will also provide support services to the Italian and Spanish navies.
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| Northrop Grumman’s Litening targeting pod. Photo: Northrop Grumman. |
Northrop Grumman spokesman Stephen Lamb said yesterday the company also provides around-the-clock support and a secure web portal for customer access to news and software updates as part of its Litening program. Lamb said this contract replaces previous support deals that expired.
Northrop Grumman last November said it was awarded a contract to start full-rate production (FRP) of Litening pods. Lamb said production is underway and “going well” as the company has delivered more than 600 pods to date. Litening pods will be installed on A-10Cs, F-16 Block 30, F-16 Block 40/50, F-15 and B-52 aircraft (Defense Daily, Nov. 15).
Litening’s forward-looking infrared, charged-coupled device, laser imaging sensors, advanced image processing and digital video output provide superior imagery and allows aircrews to identify and engage targets under a wide range of battlefield conditions. The Litening pylon-mounted targeting pod is capable of producing both airborne and ground targets, enabling pilots to detect, acquire, auto-track and identify targets for accurate delivery of both conventional and precision-guided weapons.