Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD – The NAVAIR F/A-18 program is pleased to announce the successful test results of ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting FLIR (ATFLIR) pod, in its Operational Evaluation (OPEVAL). The fleet testers of Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR) gave the highest grade possible to the ATFLIR calling it "operationally effective and operationally suitable." In addition, the report recommended the system’s introduction into the fleet.

“This is great news for the fleet,” said NAVAIR F/A-18 Program Manager Capt. “BD” Gaddis. “We got the best grade possible from OPEVAL – operationally effective and suitable. In all my years in the Navy, this is one of the best test reports I’ve ever seen. Its a testament to the value of teamwork which is shared by all members of the NAVAIR, Raytheon, and the Boeing ATFLIR team.”

The OPEVAL tested the ATFLIR pod in a number of tactical scenarios representing the operational environment. The purpose of the OPEVAL is to test the aircraft in a realistic fleet setting to determine its operational effectiveness as a weapon system, and its suitability to be maintained and operated by the Navy. The majority of the testing included aspects such as reliability, maintainability, interoperability and training. All suitability critical operational issues received the highest possible grade of satisfactory, and ATFLIR will provide the F/A-18 fleet pilots and Weapons System Operators (WSO) with significantly increased combat effectiveness in the strike warfare arena.

After a successful completion of OPEVAL the next step for ATFLIR is a Milestone III decision to enter into full-rate production, which is scheduled for later this month.

Integrated by prime contractor The Boeing Company, of St Louis, MO and built under a subcontract by Raytheon Corporation of El Segundo, Calif., the ATFLIR provides Naval aviation with phenomenal increased laser designation performance and a significant leap in target recognition range.

NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technology through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. From professional training to carrier launch; from sensor data to precision targeting; from aircraft and weapons development to successful deployment; from real-time communication to aircraft recovery, NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American warfighter.

For more information about the ATFLIR or the F/A-18 program, please contact Denise Deon Wilson, Public Affairs Officer for PEO-T at 301-481-6263 or [email protected].

# # #