US Awards $1.84 Billion Contract for Israeli-Developed Lightning Pods for Air Force Use

The US Department of Defense has awarded Northrop Grumman a $1.84 billion framework contract to purchase and maintain Lightning pods for the US Air Force, valid through 2035. The Lightning pod, an attack and targeting system developed by Israeli defense company Rafael and produced in the US by Northrop Grumman, is used by various US military aircraft to identify ground targets day and night in all weather conditions. It also plays a crucial role in detecting drones and UAVs, which are often difficult to spot by conventional radar.

Rafael originally developed the Lightning pod over 40 years ago after the US refused to sell its equivalent LANTIRN pod to Israel. Since then, Rafael has produced five generations of the pod, improving range, resolution, and integrating radar technology in cooperation with Israel Aerospace Industries. The US Pentagon has purchased 900 Lightning pods since 1996, finding them more cost-effective and efficient than the LANTIRN.

The system is deployed on multiple US aircraft, including F-15E, F-16, A-10, F/A-18, Harrier jets, B-52 bombers, and Hercules planes. Although the F-35 uses an integrated targeting system that reduces the need for pods like Lightning, the US military continues to rely on Lightning for other aircraft. Northrop Grumman reported a 95% operational availability rate for the system. Details on the number and types of pods to be purchased under the new contract, or potential upgrades to the fifth-generation Lightning pod recently acquired by Germany, remain unspecified. An initial $43 million expenditure has already been allocated under the contract.