419th Flight Test Squadron B-52 LITENING TRG Ground Laster Testing

419th Flight Test Squadron testers recently executed ground laser testing on the B-52H aircraft. The bomber is integrating the LITENING targeting pod under the right wing. While the LITENING TGP can provide a much needed and improved capability, it cannot be fielded until laser safety is complete. The lasers cannot be allowed to strike the aircraft for both safety reasons and accuracy. In order to integrate the lasers, the 419th test team had to find the angles where each of the lasers just begin to touch aircraft structure, which was labor intensive. This entailed measuring each of the lasers as test personnel moved around the aircraft structure. Operational B-52 aircrews have requested additional targeting pod resources to maintain precision weapon delivery and to provide air support for troops on the ground. (U.S. Air Force photo by Edward Cannon)