The PANTERA long-range targeting system being shown here in mockup form by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is so new that it isn't even in service yet with the U.S. Air Force.

But LM believes the Pantera (Precision Attack Navigation and Targeting with Extended Range Acquisition) pod will appeal to the Chilean air force to give its new F-16s the ability to deliver precision guided munitions day and night in all weathers.

Two Pantera pods have been built to date. One each is undergoing evaluation with the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy, and a third is about to come off the production line.

Joe Garland, international business development director for LM Missiles, says a win in Chile will establish a beach head in South and Central America for the pod. Modern electronics make it smaller, much lighter and more cost effective than a traditional LANTIRN pod, opening up the possibility for it to be integrated on attack aircraft as small as a Super Tucano. At the other end of the spectrum, it is more aerodynamic than a Lantirn, and has no restrictions on flying supersonic.


Pantera scored its first export win last week when it was selected by Norway.

The pod can be seen in Hall G, Stand 1-2.