Rafael to supply Litening 5 and RecceLite for M-346FA aircraft
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced on 6 May that it is supplying fifth-generation Litening-5 and RecceLite systems for Leonardo’s M-346FA light combat aircraft (pictured).
It will be the first integration of fifth-generation EO pods with the aircraft.
Guy Oren, VP and Head of EO systems at Rafael, said: ‘This new co-operation with Leonardo opens new markets to integrate our advanced systems to additional light, cost-effective platforms, based on our vast experience and integration legacy in all domains.’
The Litening 5 multi-spectral airborne pod provides real-time, FLIR and SWIR and daytime HD camera imagery. It is in use by 25 different air forces globally on at least 25 various platforms. It enables the use of laser-guided, GPS-guided and EO/IR imaging-guided munitions and air-to-surface smart weaponry.
RecceLite, on the other hand, uses advanced ISR, image processing and AI to achieve optimal data-exploitation at the ground station and produces real-time relay with mission execution in near-real-time.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
Romania signs $7.2 billion deal to buy 32 F-35A jets
The Romanian government has formalised a deal to purchase 32 F-35A aircraft from the US. The jets will not be expected to be operational in Romania until 2030.
-
UK, Japan and Italy discuss potential to bring other countries into GCAP programme
At the G20 summit in Brazil, the three countries reaffirmed their commitment to the trilateral Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), with a nod given to potentially widening the participation out to other countries.
-
Analysis: UK government goes on decommissioning spree to balance defence budget
UK defence secretary John Healey has announced the cancellation and decommissioning of naval and air force platforms to enable the government to “re-invest money in the armed forces” ahead of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review.
-
US Air Force A-10s to exit South Korea in favour of fourth- and fifth-gen fighter jets
The US Air Force will transition away from its ageing A-10 aircraft in 2025, in favour of updating and enhancing its F-16, and introducing F-15EX and F-35 Lightning II jets in the region.
-
Typhoon remains “at heart of UK defence” despite claims production has stopped
BAE Systems Air business has reaffirmed its commitment to the Typhoon programme as union representatives from the company urge the UK government to order 24 Typhoon jets.