AviationNews – Lockheed Martin has been awarded a $328.5 million Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contract to produce and deliver Legion-ES® sensor systems for the Taiwan Air Force. This major agreement provides a critical passive tracking capability to help allies counter sophisticated airborne threats in increasingly contested airspace.
Announced on February 2, 2026, the contract covers the production of 55 IRST21® Legion-ES units. This configuration is specifically engineered for the F-16 fighter jet to bolster its combat performance. Taiwan makes history as the first international partner to receive this specific embedded system, which was procured as an urgent operational need through the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. The deal builds on a legacy of infrared search-and-track (IRST) technology that has already logged more than 300,000 flight hours across various platforms.
The Legion-ES is a long-wave infrared system designed to detect and track aircraft by their heat signatures. Unlike traditional radar, it operates passively, meaning it does not emit signals that enemy sensors can detect or jam. This allows pilots to “see without being seen,” significantly increasing survivability and reaction time in environments where electronic warfare or radar-denied conditions are present. The low-profile design ensures that the sensor complements the F-16’s aerodynamics while providing high-accuracy data for target engagement.
“This award marks an important milestone as Taiwan becomes the first international partner to receive the Legion-ES IRST21 configuration,” stated Cristin Stengel, program director at Lockheed Martin IRST21. She noted that the technology will “bring advanced passive sensing capability to strengthen situational awareness, accelerate decision-making, and support our allied air forces.”
As work proceeds at Lockheed Martin’s Orlando facility through June 2031, this contract signals a new era for international F-16 operators. By integrating sixth-generation targeting capabilities into existing fourth-generation fleets, allies can maintain a strategic edge against modern adversaries. This development is expected to pave the way for additional international partners to seek similar technological upgrades to ensure their air defense forces remain “ahead of ready.”
In summary, the $328.5 million investment significantly enhances the defensive posture of the Taiwan Air Force through state-of-the-art infrared technology. By becoming the inaugural international user of the Legion-ES, Taiwan is setting a new standard for air-to-air lethality and passive detection in the Pacific region.
