Lockheed Martin’s New Long-Range Infrared Search and Track “Legion Pod”

In February of 2015 at the US Air Force Association’s Air Warfare Symposium in Florida, Lockheed Martin introduced its fifth-generation targeting and tracking system, dubbed the Legion Pod. The company claims that the Pod can be retroactively fitted onto older aircraft, giving them new infrared search and track (IRST) capabilities. According to company specifications, the Legion Pod is 98.5 inches in length, 16.0 inches in diameter, and weighs under 550 pounds.

For sensor systems, the Pod will use the company’s IRST21™ infrared sensor in combination with network and data processing technology to track airborne targets and communicate situational awareness information to allied aircraft. With development beginning in 2012, the Legion Pod was intended to primarily support the F-15C Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets but is also configurable to numerous other aircraft platforms as the device is a modular design with line-replaceable units and an open “plug-and-play” architecture, meaning it can be transferable to any aircraft system. In addition, as a result of its infrared-based sensor, the Pod has the ability to remain hidden from radar detection while tracking and collecting target information. The Legion Pod was first operational onboard a select number of F/A-18E/F Super Hornets from the US Navy, but the Pod should be able to establish network communication among both legacy and next-generation aircraft.

The technology may also be a viable choice for a planned multi-domain adaptable processing system (MAPS), a project to enable communication between stealth aircraft. Via our proprietary website ASAP NSN Parts, ASAP Semiconductor is a leading supplier of Lockheed Martin products. Prospective customers can browse our inclusive inventory of hard-to-find obsolete and current Lockheed Martin parts at www.asap-nsnparts.us. If you are interested in a part, please feel free to contact our knowledgeable sales staff at sales@asap-nsnparts.us or 1-714-705-4780 for a quote.