NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The Advanced Targeting Forward-Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) system achieved 500,000 operating flight hours on the Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet aircraft in September.

Playing an active role in combat operations today, the ATFLIR has been used on the F/A-18 C-D Hornet and E/F Super Hornet to detect and track targets at altitudes and ranges substantially greater than those of other targeting systems, according the F/A-18 and EA-18G program office (PMA-265).

“The ATFLIR is a proven asset on our Hornets and Super Hornets flying in the skies over Iraq and Afghanistan in support of coalition efforts and in defense of our troops on the ground,” said Capt. Frank “Spanky” Morley, PMA-265 deputy program manager. “The government and industry team can be justifiably proud in its efforts to design, produce, deliver and sustain this critical sensor that has been the eyes on the ground for the F/A-18 during the past six years.”

The 500,000-hour milestone for the pod was initially projected for 2012. The accelerated time line, according to Paula Schueller, F/A-18 and EA-18G program office Electro-Optical/Infrared Integrated Product Team co-lead, is an indicator of past and current fleet ATFLIR utilization.

“While reaching this pod usage at an accelerated rate, the system has been able to maintain an operational availability of 85 percent or greater over this timeframe,” Schueller said. “There’s no reason to doubt that the ATFLIR will continue to be an effective combat proven system in the future.”

The ATFLIR is the only pod that provides continuous automatic alignment, said Morley. The electro-optical sensor, targeting forward-looking infrared and high-power laser share a common optical path for accuracy and mission effectiveness.

Its infrared marker capability allows night vision device-equipped forces to see where the laser is pointed, shortening target identification times, reducing the need for voice communications and improving situational awareness of friendly forces.

Now in the sustainment phase, the ATFLIR program is working with the fleet to address questions as they arise and with industry partner Raytheon, to further improve the capabilities and reliability of the pod.

Source: NAVAIR