News United States Air Force
 Legion Pod reaches IOCPublished Feb. 12, 2022
                        
                        By Staff Sgt. Cassandra Johnson
                        
                        
                        Air Combat Command Public Affairs
                **JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. (AFNS) --**
                The Air Force reached initial operating capability on its latest infrared search and track pod integrated on the **F-15C Eagle**, Jan. 21.The IRST pod, known as the Legion Pod, is a sensor that uses the infrared spectrum to help pilots to track and engage enemy aircraft in environments, where traditional radar technology is denied. The pod also provides a way of monitoring enemy aircraft from extended ranges that normally go undetected, boosting the effectiveness of the F-15C and its ability to dominate the battlespace.“In today’s warfighting environment, not only do we have the capability and technology to jam and counter radar, but our enemies do too,” said Maj. DanielHermanski, **AirCombatCommand**’s F-15 requirements branch chief. “This pod is the next step for countering jamming technology and allowing our warfighters to fight and track the enemy in contested environments.”According to Lockheed Martin, the Legion Pod can accommodate additional sensors within its structure, making the taskof integrating new capabilities possible with minimal aircraft modifications. The versatility and adaptability of the pod design provides for integration on other fighter aircraft such as the **F-16Fighting Falcon**and**F-15EX**.Photo of an F-15 taxiing for takeoffA U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle taxis for takeoff at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 26, 2022. F-15 pilots employ Agile Combat Employment, an operating concept that leverages interoperability between joint forces to maintain the strategic initiative and present lethal, credible combat power. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Raughton)
            
            
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    U.S. Air Force pilot inspects a legion podA U.S. Air Force pilot inspects the Legion Pod attached to his F-15C Eagle during a pre-flight inspection at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 26, 2022. The pilot flew in support of Cope North, a multilateral training exercise that began in 1978 with the objective of increasing combat capability and improving warfighter integration between the U.S. Air Force and Japan’s Air-Self Defense Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Raughton)
            
            
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    Photo of an F-15 taking offA U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagle takes off from Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 26, 2022. F-15 pilots utilize Agile Combat Employment, which is a key concept for how Pacific Air Forces will fight in a modern, contested environment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Raughton)
            
            
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                Download Hi-Res“It’s a game-changer,” said ToddMathes, ACC’s F-15C program element monitor. “The capabilities this pod provides are critical to the way we provide combat power and keeps us at the leading edge of the fight.”As the lead major command for all fighters, ACC is**responsible**for equipping the fighter force regardless of whether they own the unit operationally. Reaching IOC on this pod is an example of ACC’s continued collaboration with fighter units across the Air Force and the test and evaluation squadrons at**Eglin Air Force Base**, Florida, and **Nellis AFB**, Nevada.“We work closely with our Air Force and industry partners to identify and eliminate gaps in our capabilities, which our enemies would attempt to exploit,”Mathes said. “This allows us to field and test new technologies to determine the best fit to give us an edge in battlefield decision making.”The Legion Pod is projected to reach full operational capability later this year as the remaining contracted podsare delivered to tactical F-15C squadrons.LR 



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