F/A-18E VX-9 XE333 Bu.no. 169948 with Lightening pod on centerline

[Niels]

I think this will be interesting for the modeling community: 

This shows F/A-18E of VX-9, XE333/Bu.no. 169948 with Lightening pod on the centerline.
Traditionally the Super Hornet has carried the targeting pod on the left intake cheak, however this restrict the number of gas bags to be carried as the gas bags hinder the targeting pod in certain angles.
I have read that this was being worked on in order to free up the cheak stations for AIM-120's and allowing for more fuel to be carried yet retaining the targeting possibility, but this is the first time I've actually seen in use. 

 

https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/5/898304_1730841942.jpg

 

169948 | Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet | United States - US Navy (USN) | Steven Ma | JetPhotos

Edited November 17, 2024 by Niels

[strikeeagle801]

I've seen a couple of articles on this lately. Apparently, the Navy has had reliability issues with the ATFLIR since its inception and have been looking for a replacement, thus the lightening pod coming online. Like you mentioned, this is the first photo I've seen of it actually being carried though. 

 

Aaron 

[habu2]

Since VX-9 is a test squadron it makes sense you would see it here first (i.e. before seeing it in the fleet(

[Joe Hegedus]

4 hours ago, Niels said:

I think this will be interesting for the modeling community: 

This shows F/A-18E of VX-9, XE333/Bu.no. 169948 with Lightening pod on the centerline.
Traditionally the Super Hornet has carried the targeting pod on the left intake cheak, however this restrict the number of gas bags to be carried as the gas bags hinder the targeting pod in certain angles.
I have read that this was being worked on in order to free up the cheak stations for AIM-120's and allowing for more fuel to be carried yet retaining the targeting possibility, but this is the first time I've actually seen in use. 

 

https://cdn.jetphotos.com/full/5/898304_1730841942.jpg

 

169948 | Boeing F/A-18F Super Hornet | United States - US Navy (USN) | Steven Ma | JetPhotos

You do realize that putting a pod on the centerline restricts the number of tanks that can be carried more than putting it on the intake station, right?  A tank can still be carried on the wing next to the pod; it is a decision made to not load one there for field of view, but one on the centerline must take the place of a tank or other store.

[martin_sam_2000]

As per an article on TWZ, the centerline position was for initial testing and they will eventually try to get it certified for the cheek position.

 

Even though LITENING was mounted in a centerline configuration different from the ATFLIR for the flight test, Conroy went on to tell The War Zone that may change. Northrop Grumman intends to have LITENING certified to be fixed to either Station 6 located on the Super Hornet’s centerline or Station 5, which would fit the ATP to the jet’s left cheek adjacent to the intake where the ATFLIR is currently located when loaded. This is important as the Super Hornet’s centerline station is prized real estate, especially now that conformal fuel tanks are no longer in the works for Navy Super Hornets and seeing as the type’s infrared search and track (IRST)-fuel tank combo has to be positioned there when fitted.

[Niels]

@Joe Hegedus Yes, I am aware that this doesn't give more gas alltogether, but it is what was stated in the material I read a good while back with this was aired first time.

 

@martin_sam_2000 You will likely not need the tank-installed IRST when carrying the lightening pod, as the pod will cover the same as the IRST. So not crucial to have on the centerline. 

Having said that, can the tanks with the IRST be mounted on the wing stations? I would believe so? 🤔

[strikeeagle801]

2 hours ago, Niels said:

@Joe Hegedus Yes, I am aware that this doesn't give more gas alltogether, but it is what was stated in the material I read a good while back with this was aired first time.

 

@martin_sam_2000 You will likely not need the tank-installed IRST when carrying the lightening pod, as the pod will cover the same as the IRST. So not crucial to have on the centerline. 

Having said that, can the tanks with the IRST be mounted on the wing stations? I would believe so? 🤔

Lightening Pod does not have IRST capability, so you still need the IRST/fuel tank combo that they are working on in addition to the targeting pod. They do two different things, so you need them both. And as was mentioned, the tank is only cleared on the C/L station right now. 

 

Aaron 

[Niels]

Both the lightening and Sniper targeting pods have been used for IRST purposes, both on F-16 and the F-15, so I would argue differently. The point is to have the ability to search, see and lock on to targets without using the radar to avoid detection, and the Sniper and Lightening both do this. 

[habu2]

I thought IRST was primarily for A2A while targeting pods like Lightning & Sniper were primarily A2G?

[strikeeagle801]

40 minutes ago, habu2 said:

I thought IRST was primarily for A2A while targeting pods like Lightning & Sniper were primarily A2G?

I know that the Air National Guard uses the Sniper pod for air-to-air missions on a regular basis. The cameras/sensors on board help with target ID from BVR distances. 

 

6 hours ago, Niels said:

Both the lightening and Sniper targeting pods have been used for IRST purposes, both on F-16 and the F-15, so I would argue differently. The point is to have the ability to search, see and lock on to targets without using the radar to avoid detection, and the Sniper and Lightening both do this. 

I looked it up, and you appear to be right...FLIR and IRST seem to be used interchangeably. It was my understanding that they were two different things. My apologies. 

 

Aaron 

[habu2]

Both are IR Infra Red sensors:

 

Forward Looking Infra Red

 

Infra Red Search &Track

[Niels]

No worries @strikeeagle801 Aaron. 

The Lightening and Sniper were originally for A2G, but need beeing the mother of all inventions they quickly found it worked well in A2A aswell. Hence no need for a separate IRST. 
And the tank mounted IRST do take away a fair chunk of fuel, so does make sense.