LONDON — Lockheed Martin completed a successful field test of its Infirno precision-targeting and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) system in hot conditions, according to the company's business development director for turreted systems.
Infirno packs the ability to identify and laser-designate targets and capture high-definition infrared and color video at extended ranges in a 15-inch turret.
"We decided there was a need in the 15-inch market for a precision sensor," Lockheed's Paul Bjorkland told Defense News today at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) conference. "We have a long legacy of developing targeting systems for the Apache, the Cobra, the Sniper pods for the F-16. That's our niche. Customers look at us to put weapons on target."
Lockheed is combining the targeting capability with gyrocam systems it acquired five years ago from the US Army, whichthat procured them for route clearance with low-end surveillance, according to Bjorkland said.
The company also is also building on its experience with modular line-replaceable unit concepts, which Lockheed did with its Sniper pod. The Sniper pod has 40 line-replaceable units that can be repaired and replaced on the flight line and has reduced the cost to the Air Force by 70 percent, Bjorkland said.
The new Infeirno system, with reconfigurable payloads options, is designed to fit and work on aircraft, vehicles and ships, Bjorkland said. The system gives the customer "mission flexibility and significantly reduced cost of ownership."
Potential candidates for Infirno are the platforms like include the MH-60 Romeo helicopter, the V-22 tiltrotor and other "emerging opportunities," Bjorkland said, as well as "replacing some legacy systems that are getting old in the tube, and there’s some vehicle programs, large competitions around the world that we are participating in as well."
Bjorkland could not disclose the location of the first test of the Infirno turret outside of the laboratory but said it was "extremely hot ... like 120 degrees hot, sandy, dusty and hot."
While the turret was demonstrated on a tripod mount in the last test, Lockheed is gearing up to test the system on a moving ground vehicle by the end of the year. More demonstrations are planned for the first quarter of next year, according to Bjorkland said.
The internally funded program is still in development but "there’s a lot of interest" in the system, he said, "a lot of discussion." Bjorkland said.
Email: jjudson@defensenews.com
Twitter: @JenJudson
Jen Judson is an award-winning journalist covering land warfare for Defense News. She has also worked for Politico and Inside Defense. She holds a Master of Science degree in journalism from Boston University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kenyon College.
