India to Buy Litening-4 ,Spice PGM for Airforce and Spike ATGM for Army

[shree835]

India is readying a slew of military deals with Israel worth $3 billion before Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits Tel Aviv this year.The pacts include the acquisition of 164 laser-designation pods or ‘Litening-4’ for IAF fighters like Sukhoi-30MKIs and Jaguars as well as 250 advanced ‘Spice’ precision stand-off bombs capable of taking out fortified enemy underground command centres. “It should be cleared by the CCS within a month or so,” said an MoD source.

Some headway has been made over the stalled negotiations for an initial Rs 3,200-crore contract for 321 ‘Spike’ anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems and 8,356 missiles. “There was a major difference (of opinion) in the ATGM project cost between the Israeli commercial bid and the much-lower price benchmarking done by the MoD. Over 20 contract negotiation committee meetings have been held till now… the effort now is to close the gap,” said the source.

The Army desperately needs third-generation ATGMs, with a strike range of over 2.5-km and fire-and-forget capabilities, to equip all its 382 infantry battalions and 44 mechanised infantry units.In October 2014, the Modi government had selected the Israeli Spike ATGM over the US Javelin missile system, but the actual contract has been hanging fire since then. The project involves an initial offthe-shelf induction, followed by large-scale indigenous manufacture by Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) to equip the 1.18-million strong Army.
The proposed MR-SAM project between DRDO and Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI), too, will be huge. The initial order is for one MRSAM regiment, with 16 firing units along with their multifunction surveillance and threat tracking radars as well as weapon control systems. But the SAM systems are also to be subsequently produced in bulk by BDL, in keeping with the similar ongoing DRDO-IAI projects worth around Rs 13,000 crore for Navy and IAF

 

[Skull and Bones]

I believe many emerging startup can make bomb kits to make available LGBs into stand off weapons. If I can get seed funding, a dedicated team and 2 years of time, I can come up with a crude version of it.

 

[sathya]

I believe many emerging startup can make bomb kits to make available LGBs into stand off weapons. If I can get seed funding, a dedicated team and 2 years of time, I can come up with a crude version of it.

Government is ready to pay 90% funding of R&D
If product not selected 100%

It's the matter of dedicated team.

------------------

There is no quality indian inverter air conditioners , most of the boards are imported from china.

I am guessing it will be more profitable .

I was also thinking to start up as sub vendor in some product , then build up from there..

When Thailand make is of good quality , there is no reason that we cannot make the same.

To take the risk or not is the ?

 

[MilSpec]

@PARIKRAMA features on Litening 4 over it's predecessor?

 

[jetray]

I believe many emerging startup can make bomb kits to make available LGBs into stand off weapons. If I can get seed funding, a dedicated team and 2 years of time, I can come up with a crude version of it.

Great dude, if have you have an idea should go for a patent( should cost $10k ) first and then a startup. You are in the right place for a startup. But getting a startup off the ground takes a lot of time & effort (and lot of connections). Especially given that deliverables is not software it is even more harder.

You should start it of as a hobby project ,then you may find like minded ppl. Given that this is a capital intensive project ppl will not invest until they see some tangibles on the ground.

 

[cerberus]

@PARIKRAMA features on Litening 4 over it's predecessor?

I think air force has acted to early they should have waited for G-5 Litening Pod
ATP-SE: LITENING Targeting Pods Now Feature ‘Gen-5’

My Bad I think G-5 already under Evaluation By IAF
Rafael’s Next Gen Litening 5 targeting Pod likely to be offered to India for Evaluations.

 

[Brahmaputra Mail]

This Spike ATGM deal is stuck since 2011 ?

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Litening 4, the latest variant of the pod, has gone through major enhancements in sensors, resolution, image processing and algorithmic processing capabilities. “Litening has transformed from a targeting pod into a much broader sensor pack that extends the aircraft and pilot’s capabilities, far beyond target acquisition,” says Yuval Miller, manager of Rafael’s Air and C4ISR division.

The new version extends the effective observation range, enabling detection and recognition of targets from tens of kilometers away. “The [sensor’s] high resolution enables pilots to reliably identify the combat objects and consequently to avoid collateral damage” Miller told Aviation Week, noting the pod has a proven operational combat record in day, night and adverse weather conditions.

Many automated processes previously employed only in ultra-sophisticated reconnaissance systems are now implemented in the Litening, enabling fighter pilots to assume missions and capabilities far beyond lasing a target for smart weapons. In addition to ground attack the pod also assists pilots in the identification of aerial targets from Beyond Visual (BV) ranges.

“The fact that these pods are upgradable means customers are investing in a ‘future proof’ system,” Miller says. Operators using Litening 3 can upgrade to Litening 4 by changing or adding plug-in hardware elements and associated software modifications. The pod, its interfaces and physical and aerodynamic envelope are maintained intact, enabling an affordable upgrade into new capabilities.

Rafael's Litening for Aircraft Upgrading | Defense content from Aviation Week


The LITENING G4 Advanced Targeting Pod delivers the latest advancements in sensor, laser imaging and data link technology. LITENING's technologies include digital, high definition video, 1024x1024 forward-looking infrared and charge-coupled device sensors, short wave infrared laser imaging, color symbology, tracker improvements and enhanced zoom. These advancements deliver more accurate target identification and location at longer ranges than previous generations of LITENING targeting pods while reducing pilot workload.


Another new feature is the ‘Laser Target Imaging Program’ (LTIP), employing a short wave infrared laser augmented imaging, to enhance the targeting system’s capability to capture images in situations where medium-wave infrared (MWIR) forward-looking infrared and CCD are ineffective. In addition, the Litening ATP-SE employs an integral digital two-way data link, facilitating encrypted data communications with compatible land-based or airborne digital datalink devices.

The Litening pod was originally developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems which marked the sale of the 1,000th Litening pod in 2010. Rafael has teamed with Northrop Grumman to deliver the Litening system to U.S. services and other Foreign Military Sales customers.
Litening G4 features

The older Litening G3 had 640 x 480 resolution in FLIR
The dimensions are same

Some picture comparison
Litening G4

Litening G3

Source:
http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/LITENING/Documents/litening.pdf
http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/7/477.pdf

 

[cerberus]

Litening 4, the latest variant of the pod, has gone through major enhancements in sensors, resolution, image processing and algorithmic processing capabilities. “Litening has transformed from a targeting pod into a much broader sensor pack that extends the aircraft and pilot’s capabilities, far beyond target acquisition,” says Yuval Miller, manager of Rafael’s Air and C4ISR division.

The new version extends the effective observation range, enabling detection and recognition of targets from tens of kilometers away. “The [sensor’s] high resolution enables pilots to reliably identify the combat objects and consequently to avoid collateral damage” Miller told Aviation Week, noting the pod has a proven operational combat record in day, night and adverse weather conditions.

Many automated processes previously employed only in ultra-sophisticated reconnaissance systems are now implemented in the Litening, enabling fighter pilots to assume missions and capabilities far beyond lasing a target for smart weapons. In addition to ground attack the pod also assists pilots in the identification of aerial targets from Beyond Visual (BV) ranges.

“The fact that these pods are upgradable means customers are investing in a ‘future proof’ system,” Miller says. Operators using Litening 3 can upgrade to Litening 4 by changing or adding plug-in hardware elements and associated software modifications. The pod, its interfaces and physical and aerodynamic envelope are maintained intact, enabling an affordable upgrade into new capabilities.

Rafael's Litening for Aircraft Upgrading | Defense content from Aviation Week


The LITENING G4 Advanced Targeting Pod delivers the latest advancements in sensor, laser imaging and data link technology. LITENING's technologies include digital, high definition video, 1024x1024 forward-looking infrared and charge-coupled device sensors, short wave infrared laser imaging, color symbology, tracker improvements and enhanced zoom. These advancements deliver more accurate target identification and location at longer ranges than previous generations of LITENING targeting pods while reducing pilot workload.


Another new feature is the ‘Laser Target Imaging Program’ (LTIP), employing a short wave infrared laser augmented imaging, to enhance the targeting system’s capability to capture images in situations where medium-wave infrared (MWIR) forward-looking infrared and CCD are ineffective. In addition, the Litening ATP-SE employs an integral digital two-way data link, facilitating encrypted data communications with compatible land-based or airborne digital datalink devices.

The Litening pod was originally developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems which marked the sale of the 1,000th Litening pod in 2010. Rafael has teamed with Northrop Grumman to deliver the Litening system to U.S. services and other Foreign Military Sales customers.
Litening G4 features

View attachment 292631

The older Litening G3 had 640 x 480 resolution in FLIR
The dimensions are same
View attachment 292633

Some picture comparison
Litening G4
View attachment 292632

Litening G3
View attachment 292634

View attachment 292635



Source:
http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/LITENING/Documents/litening.pdf
http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/7/477.pdf

There is Also News About Evaluation of Latest Litening G-5 Pod By IAF Few months Back
Rafael’s Next Gen Litening 5 targeting Pod likely to be offered to India for Evaluations.

 

[PARIKRAMA]

There is Also News About Evaluation of Latest Litening G-5 Pod By IAF Few months Back
Rafael’s Next Gen Litening 5 targeting Pod likely to be offered to India for Evaluations.

Now see whats the article also says
Indian air force has been using Litening 3 Pods on Sukhoi-30MKI, Mig-29, Mirage-2000, Jaguar and Indigenous developed LCA-Tejas and last year India placed order for 150 Litening G4 for its frontline fighter aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-29 and others.

Now we know that individual aircraft with litening pod can act as marker for many other jets..

We know roughly
MKI - 272 , Mig 29 50, Mirage 50, Jags 100+, LCA 100 so roughly its 272+50+50+100+100 = 572


Now litening III = 100- 120+
Litening IV = 164
--------------------------------------
Total - 264- 284+

Originally G3 was suppose to go to Jags, Mirages and Mig 27s and later LCAs Mig 27s are phased out
Roughly the figure of LCA, Mirage and Jags is almost 250 so G3 is almost covering it at 1:2 ratio

Now G4 alone is now 164.
This indicates at 1:2 a fleet coverage of 328 jets
Primarily MKI at 272 and another 56 jets unmarked...

Now if Rafales comes with Damocles... this planned acquisition clearly indicates another 3 squadron acquisition of MKI or a similar bird like FGFA/PAKFA Stage 1

Unless these pods go to IN,,,

Since G5 is already at least enquired its good to assume 5th bird will have G5 pods.. So this makes me believe the deal for some more MKI..

 

[Ankit Kumar]

Spice PGMs, I don't know but the number seems low to me.
What us it's American and Russian counterpart.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Now if Rafales comes with Damocles... this planned acquisition clearly indicates another 3 squadron acquisition of MKI or a similar bird like FGFA/PAKFA Stage 1

Rafales are coming with Litening pods- both sides have made this clear, it was part of the customer (IAF) nominated customisations. Indeed part of this specific procurement process was a head to head against the Damocles to see which would be the IAF's future LDP, the IAF selected the Litening for ALL her assets...

 

[PARIKRAMA]

Rafales are coming with Litening pods- both sides have made this clear, it was part of the customer (IAF) nominated customisations. Indeed part of this specific procurement process was a head to head against the Damocles to see which would be the IAF's future LDP, the IAF selected the Litening for ALL her assets...

Then as i have shown for 54-56 odd jets which is our 36+18 rafales, this order covers them .. Good to see IAF did some planning at least..

 

[kaykay]

164 Litening-4? thats hell of a number.

 

[Natan]

Spice PGMs, I don't know but the number seems low to me.
What us it's American and Russian counterpart.

US' counterpart is LJDAD (though Elbit was also involved).

(Standard JDAM has no IIR/CCD seeker)

http://www.rafael.co.il/marketing/SIP_STORAGE/FILES/4/924.pdf