The U.S. Navy awarded Raytheon an $18.5 million contract modification to provide an infrared marker upgrade on the F/A-18 Hornet and Super Hornet Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared (ATFLIR) pods, which will enhance the aircraft’s ground operations support. The marker supports ground operations and air-to-ground missions, allowing F/A-18 pilots to illuminate targets of interest with an infrared designator. The upgrade will affect Lots 4 and 5 of the ATFLIR program. Work will be performed by Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems in El Segundo, Calif., and McKinney, Texas. "With the insertion of the IR marker, the non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting role of the F/A-18 is greatly expanded," said Roger Nordmeyer, Raytheon program director for ATFLIR. The AN/ASQ-228 pod is a program of record for F/A-18 Hornets and Super Hornets, including Navy and Marine Corps carrier-based squadrons. According to Raytheon, it is the only pod that provides continuous auto-boresight alignment. For related news