Raytheon Company is upgrading the video data link capability for its Advanced Targeting Forward-looking Infrared (ATFLIR) pod under a recently announced $10 million award from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).
The non-recurring step-one engineering change proposal (ECP) calls for Raytheon to deliver 12 ATFLIR targeting pods (provided by the U.S. Navy) capable of transmitting video via a high-speed and more secure Ku band to ROVER III (Remote Operations Video Enhanced Receiver) man-portable ground stations.
"Through this new data link capability, the high resolution electro-optic video imagery ATFLIR provides will allow ground commanders to coordinate directly with the aircrew for non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions as well as close air support missions," said Mike Crisp, ATFLIR program manager for Raytheon.
"This kind of improvement makes the most of ATFLIR's airborne sensor information as actionable knowledge in support of the ground mission."
Raytheon is required to test the improved pods in flight to demonstrate safety and mission support. The upgrade work will be performed at the company's Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) headquarters in El Segundo, Calif.
The company is currently in Lot 2 full rate production and has delivered more than 132 ATFLIR pods to the Navy.
ATFLIR is the Navy's targeting pod of record for the F/A-18 Hornet including Navy and Marine Corps aircraft carrier-based variants. In addition to the ECP award, Raytheon is working with NAVAIR on infrared marker insertion into ATFLIR, which is currently in the flight test and evaluation stages.
