Lockheed Martin has secured a $328.5 million contract through the United States government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program to supply the Taiwan Air Force with IRST21 Legion-ES systems, infrared search and track sensors capable of operating passively.
The agreement provides for the delivery of the Legion-ES version of the IRST21, a long-wave infrared sensor designed to locate and track aerial targets at great distances without the need to emit active signals, which reduces aircraft exposure and increases stealth during operations.
According to the manufacturer, the configuration was developed specifically for integration with F-16 fighters, adding a fully onboard IRST capability integrated into the aircraft’s systems, increasing performance in surveillance and aerial combat missions.
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Lockheed Martin highlights that the system should increase pilots’ situational awareness, accelerate decision-making and increase survivability in threat scenarios. The company also highlighted that the technology is based on a long accumulated experience, with more than 300 thousand flight hours recorded on different platforms equipped with the brand’s infrared sensors.
Source: UK Defence Journal | Photo: X @LMNews | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
.@LockheedMartin has been awarded a $328.5M contract to deliver IRST21® Legion‑ES sensors to be placed on F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft. These embedded long‑wave IRST boost pilot situational awareness, decision speed & survivability. Click below: ⬇️
— Lockheed Martin News (@LMNews) February 6, 2026
