The F/A-18 Hornet is an all-weather fighter and attack aircraft. Credit: U.S. Marine Corps/Northrop Grumman Corporation.

The US Marine Corps (USMC) has contracted Northrop Grumman to integrate Advanced Tactical Data Links (ATDL) into LITENING electro-optical/infrared­ (EO/IR) targeting pods on F/A-18 aircraft.  

The F/A-18 all-weather fighter and attack aircraft is designed for both air superiority and ground support missions.  

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LITENING pods will be equipped with the bandwidth efficient common data link (BE-CDL) waveform, marking the first use of this technology in tactical aircraft data links.  

This allows for secure, bidirectional, multi-band communication, transmitting video, images, and metadata to improve mission accuracy.  

Both airborne and ground operators can access live video feeds concurrently. 

The ATDL serves as an upgrade to the Plug-and-Play II data link and is compatible with fourth-generation or newer LITENING pods, including the G4, SE, LDP, Color, and Large Aperture models.  

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It offers increased data transfer rates, facilitating quicker decision-making processes. 

Enhancements include a modernised processor, software-defined radio, wideband antenna, and an upgraded data recorder. 

LITENING pods enable the detection, acquisition, identification, and tracking of targets at extended ranges, supporting a variety of missions from precision targeting to humanitarian aid.  

Its design allows for ongoing upgrades to meet changing mission requirements.  

Northrop Grumman navigation, targeting and survivability vice-president James Conroy said: “LITENING’s high-definition sensors on the advanced EO/IR targeting pod gather critical information, enabling more rapid decision making.  

“The ATDL enhancement is like upgrading to better Wi-Fi by building on LITENING’s already proven data links, making live feeds immediately available on the ground – a critical capability in our modern environment.” 

Recently, Northrop Grumman completed initial flight tests of the LITENING pod on the US Navy’s F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. 

To date, Northrop Grumman has supplied more than 900 LITENING pods to both domestic and international forces.