Lockheed Martin delivers 200th F-35 targeting system

ORLANDO, Fla., Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin reports it has delivered its 200th electro-optical targeting system for the F-35 Lightning II aircraft.

The F-35 EOTS is being produced under low-rate initial production contracts, Lockheed Martin said. A total of 367 systems have been ordered to date and planned production quantities for the F-35 through 2030 are more than 3,000.

"This milestone demonstrates the growing maturity of the F-35 EOTS production line and our preparedness to meet aggressive delivery schedules as the F-35 Lightning II program approaches full-rate production," said Jerry Arlow, F-35 EOTS program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

The F-35 EOTS combines forward-looking infrared and infrared search-and-track functionality, giving pilots precise air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting capability.

With the EOTS, F-35 pilots can identify areas of interest, perform reconnaissance and precisely deliver laser- and GPS-guided weapons.