Lockheed Martin has flight-tested its Legion infrared sensor system with a new pod-to-pod data link on two F-16 fighters in Tucson, Arizona, in a demonstration aimed at improving passive target tracking in radar-denied airspace. The trial used a pre-production version of L3Harris’ HiveLink data link to exchange sensor data between aircraft, sharpening track accuracy and speeding airborne target ranging without active radar emissions.
The test focused on combining passive infrared targeting information from both jets to give crews a clearer picture of multiple airborne targets. Lockheed Martin described the effect as providing aircrews with “depth perception” for target tracking and helping shorten engagement timelines. The capability is designed for contested environments where reducing an aircraft’s electromagnetic signature can improve survivability.
The flight work involved F-16s operating from Morris Air National Guard Base and forms part of wider efforts to make the fighter’s sensor suite more effective through networking and open-architecture integration. The demonstration did not involve a procurement award, fleetwide rollout or operational fielding.