Lockheed Martin demonstrates pod-to-pod data link with Legion sensor system

Orlando, Fla., Sept. 16, 2026 — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) completed a flight test of its Legion sensor system in Tucson, Arizona, using a new dedicated pod-to-pod data link intended to give pilots faster, more accurate situational awareness for multiple airborne targets in radar-denied and contested environments.

In recent flights with the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve Test Center (AATC), two F-16s equipped with Legion pods and a pre-production version of L3Harris’ HiveLink data link launched from Morris Air National Guard Base. In flight, the pods connected via HiveLink and increased track accuracy by sharing data.

Legion, formerly known as IRST21, is a passive infrared search-and-track system built with a modular open systems approach. With the added data link, the system can establish near-instantaneous range to multiple targets, providing aircrew rapid depth perception to prioritize contacts.

Developed with the Air National Guard and AATC, the capability is designed to reduce pilot workload, accelerate target engagement timelines and preserve aircraft bandwidth for broader mission demands, the company said. Under contract with the Air National Guard, Lockheed Martin is flight testing the Legion capability on F-16s to validate performance, transportability and interoperability. Planned follow-on efforts include integrating software-defined radios, multi-waveform gateways and support for manned-unmanned teaming.

“Working side by side with the Air National Guard and AATC, we are turning proven infrared search-and-track into a networked, passive capability that is ready now,” said Cristin Stengel, program director, Lockheed Martin Legion. “With Legion’s pod-to-pod data link and open architecture, we’re providing aircrews faster, more accurate targeting in the most contested airspaces.”

L3Harris’ HiveLink provides resilient line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight connectivity for operations in contested and denied environments, combining advanced mesh networking, CDL interoperability and exportable waveform flexibility to support missions across SWaP-constrained platforms.

For the U.S. Air Force, Legion is fielded and in production in a podded form factor, enabling operational interoperability across F-15 and F-16 platforms and transportability to additional fighter, non-fighter and unmanned aircraft. The system builds on Lockheed Martin’s legacy IRST technologies that have accumulated more than 300,000 flight hours on F-14 and F-15 platforms. Its open-architecture design allows threat data to be fused with other sensors and shared across the battlespace in support of Joint All-Domain Operations.

Lockheed Martin characterized the demonstration as a step toward delivering air-dominance capabilities for the joint force, citing detection range, survivability and growth capacity.