Saab has received an order from the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the procurement of additional Litening 5 target designator pods as well as maintenance capabilities, the company announced on 3 April 2024.
The contract, valued at SEK 390 million (EUR 34 million), covers additional pods, maintenance capabilities and spare parts to be delivered in 2026.
The FMV has previously ordered Litening 5 targeting pods for the Saab Gripen E fighters of the Swedish Air Force (SwAF), but last year contracted for integration of the pod onto the SwAF’s Gripen C/D fleet, meaning that these aircraft will be able to operate Litening 5 pods as well as previously procured Litening III systems.
“By building up a maintenance capability for this version of target designation pod, Saab is ensuring that the Swedish armed forces can maintain them within Sweden’s borders,” Lars Tossman, head of Saab’s Aeronautics business area, was quoted as saying in a company press release.
The widely used Litening range of targeting pods was originally developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, which further developed the pods’ capabilities in conjunction with Northrop Grumman. Saab will source the Litening 5 pods for the SwAF from the original equipment manufacturer.
Litening pods use medium- and short-wave infrared and HD TV sensors to facilitate reconnaissance, high-precision targeting and battle damage assessment capabilities and have been integrated on a wide range of combat aircraft.
