Clarification on LANTIRN roadmap item.

[Default774]

The roadmap has been updated to list:

• Current Litening/LANTIRN mash-up targeting pod to true LANTIRN targeting pod.

What does this mean? Does this mean we will get both LANTIRN and LITENING pods with differing symbology, or will the LITENING be removed and replaced with a LANTIRN? Etc etc.

(old thread was locked)

[Furiz]

It would be great if they would explain changes in roadmap, not just make a post "updated OP" and then dead comms.

[BarTzi]

To me, it means: "Hi, some of our LITENING symbology is not that accurate, and it's currently a mix between old LANTIRN style symbology and modern LITENING symbology. It will be replaced with a fully accurate LITENING symbology in the future"

[NineLine]

1 hour ago, Default774 said:

The roadmap has been updated to list:

• Current Litening/LANTIRN mash-up targeting pod to true LANTIRN targeting pod.

What does this mean? Does this mean we will get both LANTIRN and LITENING pods with differing symbology, or will the LITENING be removed and replaced with a LANTIRN? Etc etc.

(old thread was locked)

Sorry it's too early for specifics, we will go into details once it is near completion. Thanks. 

[Furiz]

We only asked if we are getting one or the other or both pods, nothing specific on them.

At the moment on the roadmap we have:

• Complete LITENING II Targeting Pod. This mostly consists of correct offset logic and improving display clarity.

and then we have:

• Current Litening/LANTIRN mash-up targeting pod to true LANTIRN targeting pod.

[NineLine]

Sorry, the roadmap has been edited. Thanks. 

[Gierasimov]

So, will it be AN/AAQ-13 & AN/AAQ-14 LANTIRN? 

Edited March 29, 2023 by Gierasimov

[Fromthedeep]

2 hours ago, BarTzi said:

To me, it means: "Hi, some of our LITENING symbology is not that accurate, and it's currently a mix between old LANTIRN style symbology and modern LITENING symbology. It will be replaced with a fully accurate LITENING symbology in the future"

No, they will change the 3D model and remove the LITENING specific functions like TV imagery.

[DSplayer]

I would not mind keeping the LITENING pod with its mish-mash symbology but only as a "limited item" much like how you can limit which pylons the HARMs can be mounted on the F-16 while also adding a LANTIRN pod with all the correct symbology if they do not plan on implementing the LITENING pod in an accurate state.

[Ivandrov]

I gotta say, this was pretty poorly "announced". I get that the LITENING in its current state is a bit of a mishmash, but it's quite a large change and some people are worried about the specific implications this will have with TGP use in the Viper.

[_SteelFalcon_]

What‘s the reason in removing the litening and replacing it with the lantirn?

does this affect other modules that use the litening pod too? Or do they keep it?

[Moonshine]

Cant wait to not have TV imagery anymore, especially with how FLIR currently is. Good luck finding stuff

I hope both pods will be available in the future as the block 50 viper from the air national guard did get Lightening II pods as of 1999

https://www.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/104571/litening-advance-targeting/

Edited March 30, 2023 by Moonshine

[NineLine]

1 hour ago, _SteelFalcon_ said:

What‘s the reason in removing the litening and replacing it with the lantirn?

does this affect other modules that use the litening pod too? Or do they keep it?

This is only about the Viper, the reasoning was the information we have and the references we used, some of which ended up being about the LANTIRN. The reason why we won't keep the LITENING is now that our data was for the LANTIRN we do not have enough info to say the LITENING is modelled correctly. 

This will not affect other modules as those would have the needed information for those Aircraft/systems. 

The Sniper is still planned as well. 

[ironhard]

Sounds reasonable. I wouldn't mind getting a TFR as well.

[giullep]

and therefore to understand each other we will have the lantern in a future update to replace the litening....what will change..even aesthetically

[Furiz]

I'm guess Wags will make a video

 

[NineLine]

48 minutes ago, Furiz said:

I'm guess Wags will make a video

 

That, but the model will change and some items from functionality, such as LSS and TV will be removed, but other things will be added which I cannot go into until closer to completion (or Wags video on it).

[_SteelFalcon_]

2 hours ago, NineLine said:

This is only about the Viper, the reasoning was the information we have and the references we used, some of which ended up being about the LANTIRN. The reason why we won't keep the LITENING is now that our data was for the LANTIRN we do not have enough info to say the LITENING is modelled correctly. 

This will not affect other modules as those would have the needed information for those Aircraft/systems. 

The Sniper is still planned as well. 

Thanks for the clarification, that‘s good news

No TV mode and current FLIR images will definitely make it challenging…

[Dragon1-1]

I hope we'll get LITENING back one day, but I guess it's good that we'll see the older system, too. 

[skywalker22]

Some info: https://www.f-16.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13181

I think we should get all 3 TGPs sooner or later.

And for the AN/AAQ-28, before putting it into rest, so we can enjoy it for the last time: 

please FIX the forward section with rotating lenses, they are not rotating any longer (its a known issue).

Edited March 30, 2023 by skywalker22

[fragal]

Wouldn't it make more sense to finish the litening with proper implementation then add lantirn and give the choice ? A lot of peeps did actually buy the 16 with the litening pod on the sales page seems a bit misleading to now suddenly take it away after 3 years for something with less capability and cause a new drama about nerfs and ED bad arguments.

[_SteelFalcon_]

I‘d like to see it added additionally, and then removed when the Sniper pod is available, so we don’t miss out on the LSS function we got to use for the last years. Not to speak of the useful TV mode as FLIR currently is rather unsatisfying or leaves some things to desire.

[Fromthedeep]

1 hour ago, fragal said:

Wouldn't it make more sense to finish the litening with proper implementation then add lantirn and give the choice ? A lot of peeps did actually buy the 16 with the litening pod on the sales page seems a bit misleading to now suddenly take it away after 3 years for something with less capability and cause a new drama about nerfs and ED bad arguments.

I guess the big issue is that they have no references for the proper LITENING implementation. 

[Furiz]

So LANTRIN doesn't have TV mode?

what about resolution, image quality etc? Any videos?

 

Edited March 30, 2023 by Furiz

[backspace340]

13 minutes ago, Furiz said:

So LANTRIN doesn't have TV mode?

what about resolution, image quality etc? Any videos?

 

 

There's a video of what the same pod looks like in the F-15E here - seems a lot worse than the Litening, can't really see what something is even 6nm away: 

Obviously ED might implement it a little differently, but that's probably a good idea of what to expect.

Edited March 30, 2023 by backspace340