Naval Air Systems Command awarded a firm, fixed price contract valued over $95 million to the Boeing Company, St Louis, Missouri, for a second Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) of the ASQ-228 Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) pod, the latest generation in targeting technology.

"Today marks another giant step forward for Navy and Marine Corps aviation," said Commander J.R. Brown, ElectroOptical/Infrared Integrated Product Team (IPT) Lead, F/A-18 Program Office. "The ATFLIR's targeting capabilities continue to demonstrate performance beyond anything we have fielded to date. Our front line war fighters can target more accurately and at significantly greater ranges. "

Entering LRIP-2 represents the next major milestone in the ATFLIR program. Today's announcement provides for the Raytheon Company's Air Combat and Strike Systems business unit (sub contractor to the Boeing Company) to deliver 28 pods for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and two pod adapter units for the F/A-18C/D Hornet.

"ATFLIR will produce a revolutionary capability for F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets," said Wesley Motooka, Raytheon senior director and general manager of Navy & Marine Corps programs. "The ATFLIR will allow Navy and Marine Corps pilots to find, positively identify and destroy enemy targets from ranges and altitudes outside of harm's way."

The ATFLIR combines three pods into one: a targeting FLIR; a laser spot tracker; and a navigation FLIR while improving performance and reliability over existing pods by 3- to- 5 times. During more than 550 developmental tests and operational test flights, eight test pods demonstrated geopoint accuracy, laser designation and long-range target recognition. ATFLIR lifecycle costs are two-thirds of the current systems, with a higher Mean Time Between Failure and decreased time to repair.

"It's a Team effort and we're proud to be part of delivering on our commitments," concluded Commander Brown.

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