The German Bundestag has approved the acquisition of 90 Litening 5 targeting pods for the Eurofighter Typhoon, significantly enhancing the Bundeswehr’s precision strike and reconnaissance capabilities. The move reinforces Germany’s long-standing collaboration with Rafael and reflects broader NATO efforts to integrate advanced multi-spectral sensors and improve stand-off targeting in contested environments.
Litening 5 – A Widely Fielded Targeting Solution
As a fifth-generation system, Litening 5 is already in use with 28 air forces worldwide. With over 2,000 pods delivered and more than 2.2 million operational flight hours—primarily in contingency missions—it ranks among the most extensively deployed targeting pods globally.
Advanced Sensor Suite and Mission Versatility
The pod combines mid-wave and short-wave infrared sensors, high-definition color imaging, and dual-wavelength laser designation. An optional synthetic aperture radar (SAR) extends its performance to wide-area, all-weather imaging. These features allow long-range detection, recognition, and identification of targets under diverse conditions.
Supporting both air-to-ground and air-to-air roles, Litening 5 provides ground moving target indication, multi-target tracking, and automated target recognition. In air-to-air scenarios, it enhances long-range identification, detects low radar cross-section threats, and offers missile cueing when integrated with the host platform. It can also counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), improving operational flexibility against varied threats.
Cross-Platform Integration
Designed for adaptability, Litening 5 has been fitted on more than 26 aircraft types, including F-15, F-16, Gripen, A-10, Mirage 2000, Embraer jets, and Eurofighter. It is compatible with laser-, GPS-, and image-guided munitions, and supports real-time data transfer across Ku, C, and L bands.
Germany’s transition from Litening 3 to Litening 5 underscores both confidence in system performance and a commitment to greater accuracy, survivability, and future scalability. This follows a wider European trend of enhancing existing fleets through sensor upgrades rather than relying entirely on new aircraft.
Expanded Configurations and Future Growth
The enhanced Litening+SAR version integrates synthetic aperture radar with the EO/IR pod architecture, enabling all-weather and maritime imaging. Modular upgrades continue to expand the pod’s operational flexibility.
Global Adoption and Strategic Significance
With widespread international deployment, Litening pods provide a proven, modular solution for air forces seeking interoperability and adaptability without extensive platform modifications. Germany’s order highlights the rising global demand for advanced targeting systems as militaries prepare for evolving threats and increasingly complex mission requirements.
