The US Navy’s F/A-18 Super Hornet carrier-based fighter-bomber has received a new guidance system. The Drive has announced that the first test flights of Northrop Grumman’s F/A-18 with the LITENING system have been successfully completed.

The company’s vice president, James Conroy, noted that the first flight demonstrated the Super Hornet’s ability to rapidly expand its capabilities. During the tests, the pilots tracked ground and air targets and carried out target designation.

The LITENING container received television and thermal imaging channels that allow tracking targets at long distances. The container is also equipped with a laser pointer and a range finder for launching laser beam guided ammunition. LITENING can work with aircraft radar allowing visual identification of aircraft at any time of the day.