Support Equipment

LITENING Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-28)

Also known as
  • AN/AAQ-28
  • AN/AAQ-28 Litening
  • Litening
  • Litening pod
  • Litening AT
  • Litening III
  • Litening G4
  • Litening 5
  • LITENING Large Aperture

The LITENING Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-28) is a Rafael-designed, Northrop Grumman-supported electro-optical/infrared targeting pod family for precision targeting, surveillance, reconnaissance, and laser-guided weapon support. Manufacturer material describes a modular multispectral pod integrated across many aircraft types, while RAND's Libya air-war study documents LITENING pods supporting NATO strike and imagery workflows in the 2011 First Libyan Civil War.

LITENING Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-28), Electro-optical targeting pod, Support Equipment
Image source: Commons Rafael Litening Pod JAS-39C

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Specifications

Role
Electro-optical/infrared targeting pod
Sensors
Forward-looking infrared, color/CCD television, SWIR/MWIR options, laser designator, laser rangefinder, and laser spot tracking depending on configuration
Physical data
About 2.2 m long, 40.6 cm in diameter, and 220 kg in Rafael's current datasheet
Mission set
Precision targeting, close air support, reconnaissance/surveillance, air-to-air support modes, and humanitarian assistance
Integration
Rafael lists operation with 28 air forces and integration on 26 aircraft types; Northrop Grumman describes more than 920 pods delivered
Multispectral Targeting Role

LITENING is used as an externally mounted sensor and laser-designation pod, so its combat value depends on the aircraft, weapons, datalinks, and cockpit integration around it. Rafael and Northrop Grumman describe the family as a modular multispectral pod for target detection, identification, tracking, and precision weapon support.

Sensor package

Current manufacturer material lists color daylight video, infrared bands, laser designation/ranging, and advanced image-processing features, with exact sensor parameters varying by configuration.

Aircraft integration

Rafael lists integration across fighter, attack, trainer, transport, and multirole aircraft families, including F-16, F/A-18, AV-8B, AMX, Tornado, Typhoon, Gripen, KC-390, and Su-30 classes.

Upgrade path

The II/ER/AT path added improved FLIR and image processing, G4 added 1K sensors and data-link improvements, and later Large Aperture and SAR versions expanded the multispectral aperture set.

Variants

Public sources describe LITENING as an upgradeable pod family rather than one fixed configuration: U.S. Air Force material traces the U.S. AN/AAQ-28 line from LITENING II through ER and AT, while Northrop Grumman and Rafael sources identify later G4, Large Aperture, LITENING 5, and SAR-optimized configurations.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
LITENING IIsraeli Air Force baseline

The U.S. Air Force says LITENING I was developed for the Israeli Air Force at Rafael's Missiles Division in Haifa.

Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting

LITENING IIEarly U.S. fielded configuration

The U.S. Air Force says LITENING II was initially fielded with Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command F-16s in 1999 and used a 256 FLIR.

Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting

LITENING EREnhanced Range configuration

The Air Force describes ER as an enhancement that incorporated a third-generation 512 FLIR.

Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting

LITENING ATU.S. Advanced Targeting configuration

The Air Force says image-processing improvements led to the AT configuration, which began fielding in 2003 and became the standard for U.S. forces.

Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting

LITENING Gen 4 / G4Fourth-generation sensor and data-link upgrade

Northrop Grumman describes Gen 4 with 1K FLIR and CCD sensors, two-way data links, improved target-identification sensors, and an upgrade-kit path for fielded pods.

Sources: Northrop Grumman LITENING Gen 4 Order, Northrop Grumman LITENING G4 NAVAIR Contract

LITENING Large ApertureNorthrop Grumman aperture upgrade

Northrop Grumman says Large Aperture adds a three-aperture configuration with larger daylight, MWIR, SWIR, and LWIR sensors and a 50 percent resolution increase.

Sources: Northrop Grumman LITENING Large Aperture Datasheet

LITENING 5Rafael fifth-generation family

Rafael describes current LITENING materials around multispectral targeting/navigation, MWIR, SWIR, and color HD sensors, and operational use across 28 air forces.

Sources: Rafael Litening Advanced Targeting Pod Datasheet

LITENING SARSAR-optimized fifth-generation configuration

Rafael says the SAR-optimized pod adds ELTA synthetic-aperture-radar capability to the LITENING electro-optical multispectral pod for day/night and weather operation.

Sources: Rafael LITENING SAR Targeting Pod Datasheet

Carrier Aircraft

LITENING is built as an externally mounted pod family for multirole combat aircraft.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
AMX International AMX, Light attack and reconnaissance aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAMX International AMXLight attack and reconnaissance aircraft

Aeronautica Militare reported AMX ACOL testing with the Litening C4 pod at Pratica di Mare, and RAND discusses Italian AMX aircraft carrying Litening III pods during the 2011 Libya air campaign.

Sources: IL RSV COMPLETA LE ATTIVITÀ SU AMX DEL POD LITENING C4, RAND Precision and Purpose Libya Airpower

A-10 Thunderbolt II, Close air support attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsA-10 Thunderbolt IIClose air support aircraft

The U.S. Air Force fact sheet lists LITENING as operational on A-10A/C aircraft, and Northrop Grumman describes the pod as integrated on A-10 variants.

Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting, Turning imaging into intelligence

AV-8B Harrier II, V/STOL light attack and close-air-support aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsAV-8B Harrier IIV/STOL attack aircraft

NAVAIR reported Marine Corps acceptance of AN/AAQ-28 LITENING II pods for the AV-8B Harrier, and RAND describes Harriers using LITENING integrated targeting pods during the Libya air campaign.

Sources: Marine Corps accepts first improved FLIR targeting pod, RAND Precision and Purpose Libya Airpower

B-52 Stratofortress, Long-range heavy bomber, Aircraft & UAVsB-52 StratofortressStrategic bomber

The U.S. Air Force fact sheet lists LITENING as operational on the B-52H, and Northrop Grumman lists B-52 among integrated LITENING platforms.

Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting, Turning imaging into intelligence

F-15E Strike Eagle, Dual-role strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-15E Strike EagleStrike fighter

The U.S. Air Force fact sheet lists LITENING as operational on the F-15E.

Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting

F-16 Fighting Falcon, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsF-16 Fighting FalconMultirole fighter

The U.S. Air Force fact sheet lists LITENING as operational on F-16 Blocks 25-52 and also references allied F-16 Block 15 use.

Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting

F/A-18 Hornet (Tactical), Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF/A-18 Hornet (Tactical)Carrier-capable multirole fighter

The U.S. Air Force fact sheet lists LITENING use on F/A-18 aircraft, and Northrop Grumman lists F/A-18 among integrated LITENING platforms.

Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting, Turning imaging into intelligence

Eurofighter Typhoon, Twin-engine multirole combat aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsEurofighter TyphoonMultirole fighter

The RAF Typhoon FGR4 page lists Litening V for air-to-ground targeting and says close-air-support missions typically carry a Litening V targeting pod.

Sources: Typhoon FGR4

Panavia Tornado, Twin-engine variable-sweep wing multirole strike aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsPanavia TornadoStrike aircraft

The RAF Air Historical Branch study states Tornado GR4s used Litening III targeting pods for non-traditional ISR during Operation Unified Protector.

Sources: UK Air Power in Operation Unified Protector

JAS 39 Gripen, Single-engine multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsJAS 39 GripenMultirole fighter

Rafael lists Gripen among aircraft families on which LITENING is operational and integrated.

Sources: Rafael Litening Advanced Targeting Pod Datasheet

C-130 Hercules, Tactical airlift transport aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsC-130 HerculesTactical airlift transport aircraft

A Davis-Monthan Air Force Base article shows a LITENING targeting pod hanging from a C-130 Hercules during operational testing.

Sources: DM hosts AATC

Modular pod family

The Air Force and manufacturer sources describe LITENING as a modular pod family for aircraft integration across precision targeting, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting, Northrop Grumman LITENING Product Page, Rafael Litening Advanced Targeting Pod Datasheet

Timeline

LITENING Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-28) Key Events

  1. Rafael and Northrop Grumman team

    The U.S. Air Force says LITENING I was developed for the Israeli Air Force and that Northrop Grumman teamed with Rafael in 1995 for further development.

    Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting

  2. LITENING II reaches U.S. reserve-component F-16s

    The Air Force says LITENING II was initially fielded with Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command F-16s in 1999.

    Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting

  3. AT configuration begins fielding

    The Air Force says image-processing enhancements led to the LITENING AT configuration, which began fielding in 2003 and became the standard for U.S. forces.

    Sources: LITENING Advance Targeting

  4. First Gen 4 order announced

    Northrop Grumman announced a $120 million order for LITENING Gen 4 systems and related equipment for the Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve Command, and U.S. Marine Corps.

    Sources: Northrop Grumman LITENING Gen 4 Order

  5. First international G4 delivery

    Northrop Grumman said Denmark became the first international partner to receive LITENING G4 after delivery of initial systems for Royal Danish Air Force F-16s.

    Sources: Northrop Grumman Denmark LITENING G4 Delivery

  6. 500th G4 delivered

    Northrop Grumman announced delivery of the 500th AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING G4 targeting pod to the United States military.

    Sources: Northrop Grumman 500th LITENING G4 Delivery

Media

LITENING Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-28) Videos

LITENING Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-28) Images

LITENING Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-28), Electro-optical targeting pod, Support Equipment - view 1
Source: Commons Litening Pod on FA-18
LITENING Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-28), Electro-optical targeting pod, Support Equipment - view 2
Source: Commons ANAAQ-28 LITENING
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EO/IR Pod, Electro-optical/infrared airborne sensor pod, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentEO/IR PodElectro-optical/infrared airborne sensor podEO/IR Pod is a support-equipment entry for airborne electro-optical and infrared sensor pods used to find, track, and designate targets from aircraft and UAVs. The page centers on source-backed examples: Canadian WESCAM sensors assessed on Turkish UAVs in Nagorno-Karabakh, Libya, and Syria; Aero's L-39 Skyfox mission fit showing an EO/IR pod; and the U.S. Coast Guard HC-130J's nose-mounted EO/IR pod. Because carrier publications often name the function rather than a specific model, the relationship notes separate identified WESCAM MX-series evidence from generic EO/IR-pod references.
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Sources

LITENING Advance TargetingPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports manufacturer background, modular pod family context, aircraft integration, target detection and identification role, and the reported unit cost of about $1.4 million. | Accessed: 2026-06-27IL RSV COMPLETA LE ATTIVITÀ SU AMX DEL POD LITENING C4Publisher: Aeronautica Militare | Note: Supports AMX ACOL activity with the Litening C4 pod at Pratica di Mare and the wider AMX aircraft context for the pod's carriage relationship. | Accessed: 2026-06-27AMX International AMX - WikipediaPublisher: Wikipedia | Note: Supports the AMX history note that Italian aircraft first used Litening targeting pods in Libya. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Commons Rafael Litening Pod JAS-39CPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary Litening gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Commons Litening Pod on FA-18Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the FA-18 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27Commons ANAAQ-28 LITENINGPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the AN/AAQ-28 gallery image. | Accessed: 2026-06-27DM hosts AATCPublisher: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base | Note: Supports the LITENING pod being carried by a C-130 Hercules during operational testing. | Accessed: 2026-06-28Turning imaging into intelligencePublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports LITENING integration on multiple aircraft families including AV-8B, F/A-18, A-10, B-52, C-130, F-15, and F-16. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Marine Corps accepts first improved FLIR targeting podPublisher: Naval Air Systems Command | Note: Supports Marine Corps acceptance of AN/AAQ-28 LITENING II pods for the AV-8B Harrier. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Typhoon FGR4Publisher: Royal Air Force | Note: Supports Typhoon FGR4 use of Litening V for air-to-ground targeting and close-air-support sensor carriage. | Accessed: 2026-07-02UK Air Power in Operation Unified ProtectorPublisher: Royal Air Force Air Historical Branch | Note: 2011 First Libyan Civil War: used by NATO Tornado GR4 aircraft; supports Litening III targeting pods used for non-traditional ISR during Operation Unified Protector. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Northrop Grumman LITENING Product PagePublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports LITENING mission set, modular upgrade context, Large Aperture capability framing, and delivered-pod fleet context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Northrop Grumman LITENING Gen 4 OrderPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports the 2008 LITENING Gen 4 order, fourth-generation sensor features, data-link improvements, and upgrade-kit path. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Northrop Grumman LITENING G4 NAVAIR ContractPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports LITENING G4 technology details including 1K sensors, SWIR laser imaging, color symbology, tracker improvements, and enhanced zoom. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Northrop Grumman Denmark LITENING G4 DeliveryPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports Denmark as the first international LITENING G4 recipient and the 2013 delivery milestone. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Northrop Grumman 500th LITENING G4 DeliveryPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports the 2015 delivery of the 500th AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING G4 targeting pod and fleet delivery context. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Northrop Grumman LITENING Large Aperture DatasheetPublisher: Northrop Grumman | Note: Supports Large Aperture upgrade details including three-aperture sensor configuration, daylight/MWIR/SWIR/LWIR coverage, and 50 percent resolution increase. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Rafael Litening Advanced Targeting Pod DatasheetPublisher: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | Note: Supports current Litening sensor, dimensions, weight, aircraft-integration, and operator-count details. | Accessed: 2026-07-02Rafael LITENING SAR Targeting Pod DatasheetPublisher: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems | Note: Supports SAR-optimized LITENING configuration details, including the addition of ELTA synthetic-aperture-radar capability to the electro-optical multispectral pod concept. | Accessed: 2026-07-02RAND Precision and Purpose Libya AirpowerPublisher: RAND Corporation | Note: 2011 First Libyan Civil War: supports NATO use of LITENING pods during the Libya air campaign, including Harrier target-imagery support and Italian AMX Litening III integration. | Accessed: 2026-07-02