ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill: Northrop Grumman, an aerospace and defense technology company, has announced that it’s AN/AAQ-28(V) LITENING Targeting Pods have completed 2 million operating hours. The Litening system is a self-contained, multi-sensor targeting and surveillance system that enables aircrews to detect, acquire, auto-track and identify targets at long ranges for weapon delivery or nontraditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. It consists of forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and charge-coupled device (CCD) sensors that provide high resolution imaging, and the digital port brings digital, high definition video to the cockpit. The other key features of the Litening pod are: the short wave infrared laser imaging sensors which enable accurate identification, and multiple fields of view that provide a complete view of the situation on-field. Further enhancing the multi-sensor targeting system, its color symbology reduces the pilot’s workload and facilitates integration with cockpit displays. Two-way plug-and-play datalinks enable easy communication with ROVER groundstations, and the pod the older pods can be upgraded to latest configuration. Elated with achieving 2 million operating hours, Jim Mocarski, Vice president, Airborne Tactical Sensors Business Unit, Northrop Grumman, says “LITENING's two million hours are a testament to both the effectiveness and the reliability of the system. Working side by side with our customers, we have developed the latest technologies in an affordable manner to keep the mission capability relevant."