Northrop Grumman’s [NOC] AN/AAQ-28(v) LITENING targeting system pods have achieved two million operating hours, the company said on Tuesday.

The AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING pod is a self-contained, multisensory system that allows pilots to detect, acquire, auto-track, and identify targets for accurate delivery of both conventional and precision-guided weapons, the company said.

AN/AAQ-28(v) LITENING targeting system pod. Photo: Northrop Grumman.
AN/AAQ-28(v) LITENING targeting system pod. Photo: Northrop Grumman.

LITENING technologies include high definition video, 1K forward-looking infrared and charge-coupled device sensors, short wave infrared laser imaging, color symbology, tracker improvements, and enhanced zoom.

“These advancements deliver more accurate target identification and location at longer ranges than previous generations of LITENING targeting pod systems while reducing pilot workload,” Northrop Grumman said.

Over 700 LITENING pods have been delivered to the Marine Corps, all components of the Air Force, and eight international customers.

“This is a significant milestone for the LITENING program and our team is proud to be part of that success. We look forward to our continued partnership with Northrop Grumman, providing war-winning capability to our aircrews,” David McCain, U.S. Air Force LITENING program manager, said in a statement.

LITENING has maintained an availability rate over 98 percent through a 24/7 worldwide support network. Of the system’s two million flight hours, over 770,000 took place under combat conditions, Northrop Grumman said.

“LITENING’s two million hours are a testament to both the effectiveness and the reliability of the system. Working side by side with our customers, we have developed the latest technologies in an affordable manner to keep the mission capability relevant,” Jim Mocarski, vice president of Northrop Grumman’s airborne tactical sensors business unit, said.