Northrop Grumman unveils innovative OpenPod sensor system

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World Aviation Defense & Security Industry News - Northrop Grumman
 
 
 
Northrop Grumman unveils innovative OpenPod sensor system
 
Changing, integrating or upgrading sensors on a military aircraft can be an expensive, time-consuming and complex endeavor. US-based company Northrop Grumman Corporation's new OpenPod(TM) sensor system, unveiled at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., overcomes these challenges by making it possible for maintainers to swap sensors in theater.
     
Changing, integrating or upgrading sensors on a military aircraft can be an expensive, time-consuming and complex endeavor. US-based company Northrop Grumman Corporation's new OpenPod(TM) sensor system, unveiled at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., overcomes these challenges by making it possible for maintainers to swap sensors in theater. Northrop Grumman new OpenPod sensor system
(Northrop Grumman)
     
The OpenPod(TM) system consists of line-replaceable units and a set of interchangeable sensors that can be swapped out in minutes. Enabled by open architecture principles, OpenPod(TM) is the first of its kind to accommodate a range of sensors with one pod.

"The battlespace can change quickly. OpenPod(TM) keeps the complexity of the mission in mind by allowing warfighters to match the sensors to the mission quickly, giving them flexibility they have never had before," said James Mocarski, vice president, Airborne Tactical Sensors business unit, Northrop Grumman. "When you have OpenPod(TM), you can have IRST, you can have targeting, you can have communications without having to acquire multiple pods. That gives our customers a significant affordability advantage."

OpenPod(TM) will be available with targeting and IRST packages at launch, followed by communications, LIDAR, 5th-to-4th generation communications and other options in in the future. Because the pod allows for sensor changes without modifications to the aircraft or mission computer, OpenPod(TM) can be upgraded independent of the aircraft. That allows for more rapid and affordable upgrades and integration of new technologies.

OpenPod(TM) is the next step in sensor evolution for users of the AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING family of advanced targeting systems. Any LITENING pod can be converted to an OpenPod(TM), so operators can take full advantage of their existing investments, training and operational experience.