Lockheed Martin has secured a substantial contract to supply the US Navy and the Air National Guard (ANG) with the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) 21 Block II systems and initial spare parts, valued at $233 million. This firm-fixed-price agreement supports the full rate production and delivery of the IRST 21, with an expected completion date set for September 2029.
The contract follows the US Navy’s recently announced initial operational capability for the IRST system. As part of this deal, Lockheed Martin will provide a total of 59 infrared receivers, with 51 designated for the Navy and eight for the ANG. Additionally, the contract includes 20 inertial measurement units for the Navy and 45 processors tailored for the task, 37 of which will also go to the Navy with eight allocated to the ANG.
The IRST 21 Block II system is specifically designed for the F/A-18 Super Hornet and enhances the aircraft’s capabilities by detecting, tracking, and ranging aerial targets beyond visual range by leveraging infrared signals. A significant advantage of this system is its passive operation, meaning it does not emit a signal, which renders it resilient to electronic jamming.
This updated version of the IRST 21 extends the detection range and accelerates target data delivery, thereby improving situational awareness and decision-making speed during missions. The system is strategically mounted on the nose of the centerline fuel tank of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, and it works in tandem with the aircraft’s AN/APG-79 radar, particularly effective in radar-denied or jammed environments.
For other platforms like the F-15 and F-16 fighters, the IRST 21 is available in a modular Legion Pod that can be quickly and easily mounted externally, facilitating rapid deployment when needed.
Cristin Stengel, the IRST 21 program director at Lockheed Martin, emphasized the transformative potential of the IRST 21 Block II system. She stated that it represents a significant advancement in passive warfighting capabilities across multiple platforms, enhancing the range and accuracy crucial for weapon deployment in complex environments. This capability ensures that pilots remain ahead of evolving threats and mission-ready at all times.
