U.S. using Israeli airborne targeting platform in Afghanistan

Geostrategy-Direct-Week of January 29, 2002

The United States has deployed an Israeli-manufactured airborne targeting pod in the war in Afghanistan. Officials said the Litening II targeting pod is one of several Israeli systems being used in the Afghan war. The Litening, manufactured by Rafael, Israel Armament Development Authority, has been installed on the F-16 multi-role fighters in the U.S. Air Force. Officials said the U.S. Air Force is purchasing 24 Litening II-plus pods.

The new Litening is said to have a laser spot capability that an American rival does not possess. The system allows F-16 pilots to fire laser-guided missiles and bombs by locking onto a laser spot placed on a ground target by U.S. troops.

The Lantirn pod, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, cannot do the same. The Lantirn contains a laser designator that identifies targets and guides laser-seeking bombs. Lockheed Martin has launched production of its new-generation Advanced Targeting Pod.

Aging F-16s have been upgraded with Litening II pods. The system, marketeted by Rafael's partner Northrop Grumman, costs about $1.3 million.