United States ANG, AFRC and the USMC Order LITENING Gen 4 Targeting Sensor Systems

Released on Thursday, September 25, 2008

ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., Sept. 25, 2008 -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received a $120 million contract order for delivery of LITENING Gen 4 targeting and sensor systems and related equipment to support the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command and the U.S. Marine Corps. The order was the first Gen 4 award under an indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract by the 647th Aeronautical Systems Squadron, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, as the executive agent for LITENING systems.

LITENING Gen 4 is a pod-contained, multi-sensor laser target-designating, surveillance and navigation system. The pods are also equipped with a "plug-and-play" bay that enables them to accept a variety of data links without further wiring/installation modifications to the pod or aircraft.

"Our LITENING Gen 4 system will provide the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command and Marines with the very latest and advanced technology in targeting and surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities that will ensure they stay on the cutting edge of sensor technology capabilities," said Mike Lennon, vice president of Targeting and Surveillance programs at Northrop Grumman's Defensive Systems Division.

The fourth generation version of LITENING features the first use of all-digital, 1024 x 1024 pixels (1k x 1k) forward-looking infrared and 1k x 1k charge-coupled device sensors for improved target detection and recognition ranges under day/night conditions; new two-way data links and other networking capabilities to enable improved communications between ground-based and airborne forces; new sensors for improved target identification; and other advanced target recognition and identification capabilities.

Over the last decade, Northrop Grumman has pioneered such advanced targeting technologies as precisely aligned and stable multiple sensors; coordinated air-to-ground and air-to-air operations capabilities through laser spot search and track and laser markers; J-series weapons employment capabilities; and data links for battlefield situational awareness. LITENING Gen 4 is the next step in the evolution of the LITENING family. The LITENING Gen 4 technology and capability is also available in a kit form that allows current LITENING users to upgrade their currently fielded LITENING pods to this new and advanced standard.