Lockheed Martin secures $328.5 million U.S. FMS deal to deliver Legion-ES IRST systems for Taiwan’s F-16 fighters

The IRST21 is Lockheed Martin’s next-generation infrared search-and-track capability, using long-wave infrared sensing to passively detect and track airborne targets at extended ranges. The Legion-ES configuration is designed for the F-16 and is intended to complement overall aircraft performance.

Taiwan will be the first international ally to receive the Legion-ES IRST21 configuration, marking a milestone for the program. “This award marks an important milestone as Taiwan becomes the first international partner to receive the Legion-ES IRST21 configuration,” said Cristin Stengel, program director for Lockheed Martin IRST21.

“This system will bring advanced passive sensing capability to strengthen situational awareness, accelerate decision-making and support our allied air forces,” Stengel said. The low-profile Legion-ES builds on Lockheed Martin’s legacy IRST systems, which together have accumulated more than 300,000 flight hours.