The Legion Pod is seen under an F-15C during the sensor system's first Eagle flight in September 2016. (photo: Lockheed Martin)
by David Donald
Boeing has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Air Force to perform work associated with the installation of the Legion Pod infrared search and track (IRST) system on the Boeing F-15C Eagle. The contract runs through November 30, 2020, and could potentially be worth more than $208 million. Under the deal, the Air Force has committed to a spend of $154.6 million for Boeing to conduct engineering, manufacturing, and development work, plus production, integration, test, and deployment. A total of around 130 pods is planned to equip the fleet.
Developed by Lockheed Martin, the Legion Pod houses the ASG-34 IRST21 sensor that is also part of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet modernization program. While the Super Hornet application has the sensor installed in a converted fuel tank, the F-15C Legion Pod is a dedicated store that also has the ability to house other sensors.
As prime contractor, source selection authority, and aircraft integrator for the F-15, Boeing selected the Legion Pod for the Eagle over Northrop Grumman's OpenPod proposal in September 2017. It has a common interface that permits it to be carried by a variety of types and a pod-to-pod datalink. Having begun trials in June 2015 under the starboard intake hardpoint of an F-16, the pod first flew under an F-15C in September 2016 at Jacksonville ANGB, Florida.....continue reading: HERE
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