On Thursday, July 30, 2026, the Precision Attack Contracting Branch at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, acting on behalf of the US Department of Defense, awarded Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. of Rolling Meadows, Illinois, part of Northrop Grumman, a framework agreement with a maximum value of 1.84 billion USD for the production, support, and modification of Litening LA (Large Aperture) electro-optical targeting pods for US Air Force combat aircraft.
Photos: Northrop Grumman
The agreement will be implemented under the LITENING CATP (Laser Infrared Targeting and Navigation Comprehensive Advanced Targeting Pod) program, which is intended to upgrade the targeting and surveillance capabilities of combat aircraft currently equipped with AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening pods. The new pods incorporate significant improvements in electro-optical and infrared target detection and image processing.
Work is expected to be completed by December 31, 2035. An initial delivery order valued at 42,911,770 USD was also awarded.
Northrop Grumman announced the first flight tests of the new pod aboard a Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole combat aircraft on December 11, 2025. The company had been selected as the supplier on February 13, 2024.
According to information released at the time, Litening LA is equipped with high-resolution digital daylight and infrared sensors operating across multiple wavelengths, increasing image resolution and enabling imaging at greater distances.
It also features faster video processing, improved image stabilization, enhanced command-and-control (C2) capabilities, and continuous roll functionality to provide uninterrupted imagery during aircraft maneuvers. Improved air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting modes also provide greater accuracy and more reliable tracking under challenging conditions.
Litening LA is an electro-optical/infrared targeting and surveillance pod that enables aircrews to detect, acquire, identify, and track targets at long range. It supports a wide range of missions, including precision targeting, close air support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and humanitarian assistance operations.
The pod is equipped with high-resolution digital color video and infrared sensors, a data link, and advanced algorithms for detecting, identifying, and engaging targets at long range. A more powerful mission processor accelerates imaging functions and enables future capabilities, including artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Litening LA combines these enhanced capabilities in the same form factor as earlier versions of the pod, meaning that aircraft already integrated with the AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening require no modifications. Earlier pod variants can also be upgraded to the LA configuration.
The US Air Force plans to integrate Litening LA with its combat aircraft, continuing the approach followed since Litening was first selected in 1999. The USAF has integrated the pod with A-10C Thunderbolt II close air support aircraft, Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers, Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle combat aircraft, and Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon multirole aircraft.
The Litening family was developed by Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which currently offers the Litening 5 variant. In 2000, Northrop Grumman signed an agreement with Rafael covering the production, development, and support of Litening pods for the US market and selected allied customers.