LANTIRN

The LANTIRN system ( abbreviation for Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting InfraRed for Night ) is an infrared- controlled navigation and target system for low-level flight operations at night. It allows the pilot of F -15 and F -16 fighter aircraft use at night and in any weather. The LANTIRN system was developed in the 1980s by Martin Marietta for the U.S. Air Force and delivered in March 1987.

Construction

LANTIRN the system comprises a navigation and a target capsule that can be mounted externally of the machine. With the included terrain contour flight radar and a fixed infrared sensor, the aircraft can perform precision strikes under all visibility conditions.

Navigation capsule

The AN/AAQ-13-Navigationskapsel gives the machine the ability for rapid penetration into enemy airspace and precision attack on tactical targets at night and in adverse weather conditions. The navigation capsule contains a terrain-following radar and a rigidly built-in infrared sensor, which feeds visual information in the flight control system of the aircraft, which is thus able to maintain a certain height above the ground in advance and avoid obstacles. This sensor is on the head- up display of the pilots an infrared image of the terrain ahead of the aircraft dar. This allows the pilot to follow the terrain contour at high speed and use mountains, valleys and the darkness to remain undetected even. The capsule was the first forward looking infrared navigation system for air superiority fighter of the USAF.

Target capsule

The AN/AAQ-14-Zielkapsel includes a high resolution forward -looking infrared ( FLIR ) which provides the pilot with an infrared image of the target, a laser aiming device and a laser rangefinder for precise drop laser- guided munitions, a unit of a connection with the automatic target recognition AGM-65 Maverick manufactures missiles, and software for automatic target tracking. These devices simplify the tasks of detection, recognition and attack of targets and also allow pilots of single-seat aircraft, ground targets during the first overflight attack with precision-guided weapons.

History

The development of LANTIRN began in September 1980 with Martin Marietta, now part of Lockheed Martin in Orlando, Florida. The first field tests and trials of navigation capsule was successfully completed in December 1984. The Air Force announced in March 1985, initially the order to a production in small numbers, as of November 1986, the series production started in a big way. The first series-manufactured capsule was delivered to the Air Force on 31 March 1987. LANTIRN was a major step for the ability of the U.S. military to conduct operations in darkness and bad weather conditions. Began in 1994, the U.S. Navy for a short-term substitute for a long-range attack aircraft to look after the A-6 Intruder was retired. It was decided to integrate the LANTIRN targeting system in the F-14 Tomcat, to give the aircraft the ability to precision attacks.

Swell

U.S. Air Force LANTIRN SYSTEM

• Air navigation