Lockheed Martin Wins $99M Worth FMS Contract For LANTIRN Targeting Pods Support

The US Air Force has awarded over $99 million worth contract to Lockheed Martin for Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) systems support, the Department of defense announced Thursday.

“Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Orlando, Florida, has been awarded a $99,900,000 indefinite-delivery/definite-quantity contract for Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night (LANTIRN) LM-STAR support equipment production and sustainment,” the statement says.

Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night, or LANTIRN, is a combined navigation and targeting pod system for use on the USAF's F-15 and F-16 fighter variants.

The release stated that this contract provides for production, sustainment and repairs for the foreign military sales customers LANTIRN systems.

Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, and is expected to be completed by July 24, 2023, the statement added.  

The navigational pod of the LANTIRN system makes it possible for the fighter aircraft to fly in the first place, overcoming the low altitudes and poor weather conditions in order to hit assigned targets. It has terrain following technology consisting of a radar system and fixed infrared sensor that adjust the flight path and elevation of the aircraft according to low and high points in the terrain in order to maintain a pre-programmed distance between the aircraft and the ground.