Brenda Marie Rivers
Lockheed Martin has received a $108M contract from Boeing to complete development of an infrared search and track sensor technology for installation on the U.S. Navy’s Block II F/A-18E/F Super Hornet jets.
Lockheed said Monday it will build, integrate, test and ensure qualification of the IRST21Â sensor under the program’s second phase.
The system is designed to locate airborne targets in radar-denied environments and currently in full rate production.
Michael Williamson, vice president of sensors and global sustainment at Lockheed’s missiles and fire control unit, said the sensor technology will offer detection and survivability capacities for Navy pilots who operate F/A-18E/Fs.
IRST21 is installed on the Super Hornet’s centerline fuel tank and has recorded more than 300K flight hours on multiple fighter aircraft platforms.
