18:16 GMT, October 9, 2009 NEWTOWN, Conn. | Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter features advanced avionics and an integrated sensor package. Its electro-optical targeting system (EOTS) is a multifunctional system for precision air-to-air and air-to-ground targeting. EOTS is developed from Lockheed Martin's Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod technology, hence the nickname "Son of Sniper." EOTS is part of the F-35 Electro-Optical Sensor System that consists of Northrop Grumman's Distributed Aperture System and EOTS.

EOTS has flown on a Sabreliner business jet, and the next step is for the system to fly on the Cooperative Avionics Test bed. The CATbird is a modified 737 designed to test, integrate, and validate the full F-35 mission systems suite in an airborne environment before the system flies in an F-35 aircraft.

EOTS production will closely mirror that of its primary platform, the F-35 JSF. Three JSF versions are being developed: the F-35A conventional takeoff and vertical landing model, the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variant, and the F-35C carrier-based attack version. Lockheed Martin states that EOTS supports all F-35 variants - domestic and international - and that EOTS technology may have applications in other stealthy aircraft, including the Northrop Grumman B-2 bomber and UAVs.

Lockheed Martin expects to build approximately 3,160 F-35 fighters. Production of JSF and, therefore, EOTS is anticipated to rise steadily throughout the forecast period.