Lockheed Martin has developed an advanced version of the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) used in the F-35 Lightning II.
The Advanced EOTS offers higher resolution and improved multi-spectral sensing.
It includes a larger aperture and provides pilots with options such as high-resolution Mid-Wave IR, Short-Wave IR and Near IR. Advanced EOTS is also effortless to integrate into the F-35 with the “plug and play” feature.
EOTS combines forward-looking infrared and infrared search and track functions to support the pilot both in air-to-air and air-to-ground, in day or night conditions.
It allows aircrews to identify areas of interest, perform recon and precisely deliver laser and GPS-guided weapons.
According to the company, Advanced EOTS is expected to save more than US$1 billion for users over the system’s life span.
As an added benefit, EOTS uses a low-drag, low weight package integrated into the F-35’s fuselage with a durable sapphire window.
The system is linked to the aircraft’s central computer through a high-speed fiber-optic interface.
EOTS combines forward-looking infrared and infrared search and track functionality to support the pilot both in air-to-air and air-to-ground, in day and night conditions.
EOTS allows aircrews to identify areas of interest, perform reconnaissance and precisely deliver laser and GPS-guided weapons
Unlike the 360 degrees Distributed Aperture System and new large Area Display (LAD) that were modernized through alternative sourcing, Lockheed Martin developed the A-EOTS as a company-funded initiative, that that is offered as an option for future modernization, and not under the cost-cutting initiative.
The company said it will integrate Advanced EOTS on F-35s, should customers require the upgrade as part of F-35 follow on modernization.
According to the company, the new system provides higher performance at lower operating cost, compared to the EOTS currently used with the F-35.
With increased reliability and reduced costs per operating hour, Advanced EOTS is expected to save more than a billion US$ for users over the system’s life span.
The EOTS uses a low-drag, low weight package integrated into the F-35 Lightning II’s fuselage with a durable sapphire window. The system is linked to the aircraft’s integrated central computer through a high-speed fiber-optic interface.
As the first sensor to combine forward-looking infrared and infrared search and track functionality, EOTS enhances F-35 pilots’ situational awareness and allows aircrews to identify areas of interest, perform reconnaissance and precisely deliver laser and GPS-guided weapons.
Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 500 systems for all F-35 Lightning II aircraft delivered to US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, and foreign air forces.
Advanced EOTS, an evolutionary electro-optical targeting system, is available for the F-35’s Block 4 development. Designed to replace EOTS, Advanced EOTS incorporates a wide range of enhancements and upgrades, including short-wave infrared, high-definition television, an infrared marker, and improved image detector resolution. These enhancements increase F-35 pilots’ recognition and detection ranges, enabling greater overall targeting performance.
