The Greek air force is to equip its McDonnell Douglas F-4s with the Rafael Litening targeting and navigation pod in a $35 million contract expected to be signed soon. The deal includes options that may bring the total value to the Israeli company to around $50 million.
Last month the US Air National Guard (ANG) and Air Force Reserve selected the pod for their Lockheed Martin F-16s. Rafael and Northrop Grumman, its US partner, will supply the systems with deliveries starting next year. The initial order is for eight systems worth $18 million.
Follow-on options cover another 160 pods. The total value of the contract could be more than $300 million. Litening has previously been selected by Germany, India, Israel and Venezuela, as well as another unidentified air force.
Litening enables aircraft to perform low level night flights and to detect and identify ground targets. The system is also capable of designating targets with a laser. The pod is being evaluated by other air forces, including Brazil, Chile, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand.
Source: Flight International
