Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD – Delivering a third-generation infrared targeting system that is more capable, reliable and affordable, the NAVAIR F/A-18 Program Office today awarded $298.2 million in contracts to the Raytheon Company’s Space and Airborne Systems for full-rate production of the AN/ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting FLIR (ATFLIR) pods. The contracts follow the approval granted in October 2003 to enter full-rate production and will deliver 88 pods for the U.S fleet of F/A-18 A+/C/D/E/F aircraft.

The ATFLIR is providing a significant improvement in F/A-18 precision weapon employment and aircraft survivability. System performance improvements over current targeting systems include improved resolution, laser ranging/designating capabilities and reliability/maintainability of the existing F/A-18 targeting FLIR system. It provides the capability to detect, classify, and track, both air-to-air, and air-to-surface targets utilizing a third-generation mid-wave infrared detector.

“ATFLIR will provide greatly enhanced capabilities for the fleet,” said Debbie Ybarra, ATFLIR program director for Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems. “ATFLIR meets or exceeds every one of the Navy’s key performance parameters,” said Ybarra, “and it will significantly enhance the combat effectiveness and survivability of Navy pilots and Weapons System Officers in strike warfare missions.”

The ATFLIR will be used for air-to-ground and air-to-air operational missions. Primary air-to-ground missions include precision Strike Warfare employing Laser Guided Bombs, GPS guided Weapons, and freefall bombs, Forward Air Control (Airborne), Close Air Support, Low Altitude Night Navigation, and Battle Damage Assessment.

ATFLIR Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) units are currently deployed with several F/A-18 squadrons. ATFLIR has completed two Early Operational Capability (EOC) deployments in 2002 and 2003. The system achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in September 2003.

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].

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