Lockheed Martin has received two contracts from Boeing to upgrade the Infrared Search and Track 21 (IRST21) sensor system used on the US Navy's F/A-18E/F fleet, the company announced on 19 October.
The Block II upgrade contracts, totalling up to $100 million, will see Lockheed Martin develop advanced software, perform hardware upgrades and deliver prototypes for the technology update.
The IRST21 sensor system uses IR search and track technology to detect and track airborne threats. Compared to radar, IRST21 enhances the resolution of multiple targets, enabling pilots to identify threat formations accurately at longer ranges.
The upgrade work will improve IRST21’s detection, tracking and ranging capabilities in radar-denied environments.
Paul Lemmo, VP of fire control/special operations forces contractor logistics support services at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said: ‘The US Navy's strategic block upgrade programme enables us to continue advancing our technology and rapidly deliver it to the warfighter.
‘We are excited to implement the Block II upgrades and enhance IRST21's performance.’
The airborne three-domain, the two ground-based and the ¼ ATR OpenVPX-based cross-domain systems were engineered to provide real-time security across multi-domain operations.
DARPA’s Mission-Integrated Network Control (MINC) programme was set up to develop an autonomous tactical network and enable critical data flow in contested environments.
Why space is an essential part of modern military capabilities
Defence-secure mixed reality headsets can save hours, or even weeks, of travel time to fix defunct equipment or get subject experts effectively “on-site” where they are needed.
The Joint Counter Radio-Controlled Improvised Explosive Device Electronic Warfare (JCREW) counter-improvised explosive device (C-IED) and Drone Restricted Access Using Known Electromagnetic Warfare (DRAKE) counter-UAS (CUAS) systems are mounted and dismounted RF jammers.
Adarga’s Vantage information analysis tool is in service with the UK MoD and individual UK forces. It builds on the company’s Knowledge Platform which processes, organises and analyses open source material, as well as information held by the user’s military, security and intelligence services.
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