Support Equipment

IRST21 Sensor System

IRST21 Sensor System is Lockheed Martin's passive long-wave infrared search-and-track package for modern fighter aircraft. It detects and tracks airborne threats without emitting radar, appears in the F/A-18E/F's centerline fuel tank installation, and is also packaged in the modular Legion Pod for other fighter and non-fighter aircraft.

Various Conflicts🏳️ Unspecified

IRST21 Sensor System, Passive long-wave infrared search-and-track sensor system, Support Equipment

Image source: IRST21 IOC for F/A-18E/F

Aircraft Integrations

Lockheed Martin packages IRST21 for the F/A-18E/F centerline fuel tank and for Legion Pod installations on other fighter aircraft.

Compatible item

Item type

Compatibility evidence

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

Carrier-capable strike fighter

Lockheed Martin says the Navy's 2025 IRST21 IOC system is integrated in the front of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet's centerline fuel tank.

Sources: IRST21 IOC for F/A-18E/F

F-15 family fighter aircraft

Fighter aircraft family

Lockheed Martin's Legion Pod release says the pod was selected for the F-15C IRST competition and provides long-range detection and tracking of airborne threats.

Sources: Legion Pod wins F-15C IRST Competition

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Lockheed Martin
Type: Passive long-wave infrared search-and-track sensor system
Service note: 2010s-present
Produced: 2010s-present
Variants: Legion Pod, IRST Block II

Also Known As

IRST21
IRST 21
Legion Pod
IRST Block II

sensorinfrared air defense fighterpassive sensing

Specifications

Sensor type: Long-wave infrared search-and-track
Operating mode: Passive; does not emit radar
F/A-18E/F installation: Integrated in the front of the centerline fuel tank
Legion Pod configuration: Modular pod package for fighter and non-fighter aircraft
Mission: Detects and tracks airborne threats at extended range

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Lockheed Martin says the Navy declared initial operational capability for the Super Hornet IRST system in 2025, while Legion Pod packaging broadened the same sensor family across Air Force fighter integrations.
Used by: United States Navy, United States Air Force

Conflict Usage

Side: 🏳️Unspecified

Exact model: Lockheed Martin Legion Pod, an IRST21-based infrared search-and-track pod. Public sources describe integration and fielding but not confirmed conflict use.

IRST21 Sensor System Images

IRST21 Sensor System, Passive long-wave infrared search-and-track sensor system, Support Equipment - view 1 — Source: IRST21 IOC for F/A-18E/F

IRST21 Sensor System, Passive long-wave infrared search-and-track sensor system, Support Equipment - view 2 — Source: IRST21 IOC for F/A-18E/F

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Sources

IRST21 Sensor SystemPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports IRST21 background, manufacturer context, passive long-wave infrared search-and-track role, and general system description. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 IRST21 IOC for F/A-18E/FPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the F/A-18E/F integration, passive long-wave infrared role, extended-range detection and tracking, and image provenance for the release photo. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Legion PodPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Legion Pod packaging, modular pod context, and the cross-platform fighter-aircraft integration of IRST21. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Legion Pod wins F-15C IRST CompetitionPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports F-15C compatibility, long-range detection and tracking claims, Legion Pod flight-test context, and image provenance for the infographic. | Accessed: 2026-06-23