Navy wraps up review of air-to-ground targeting systems deployed on fighter jets.

• Jurisdiction: United States
• Date: 01 November 2004
• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.

A review of three air-to-ground targeting systems designed for Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps fighter jets is expected to leave current programs intact, sources said.

The Navy's top acquisition official, Assistant Secretary John Young, convened an independent panel of experts earlier this year to review the systems, which help aviators pinpoint targets on the ground at night and in adverse weather.

The three pods in the review included the Navy's advanced targeting forward-looking infrared (ATFLIR), the Air Force Sniper and the Marine Corps' Litening.

All three systems represent the latest generation of this technology, which employs high-magnification infrared sensors and optics packaged on stabilized mounts and installed on military jet fighters.

The services collectively could spend up to $5 billion in the next five to 10 years on targeting pods, prompting Pentagon officials...