F-15 uses Legion Pod to fire AIM-9X for first time

A U.S. Air Force F-15C from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron fired a AIM-9X dogfight missile for the first time while using the Legion Pod to identify, track and shoot the target.

An F-15C Eagle from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron on the ramp prior to launching an AIM-9X missile using the Legion Pod. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt John McRell)

On Jul. 13, another milestone for the pod’s development was achieved when a F-16 flew the first operational flight while carrying the pod on station 5R.

An F-16 Fighting Falcon, piloted by Lt. Col. Jeremy “Clutch” Castor, from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron takes flight on its first ever flight with the Legion Pod. (U.S. Air Force photo by TSgt John McRell)

Lockheed Martin, the manufacturer of the pod, was given a contract by Boeing in 2018 to integrate, test and qualify Legion Pod for the U.S. Air Force’s F-15C fleet.

The Legion Pod employs the same IRST21 long-wave infrared sensor that the U.S. Navy is using for the Super Hornet.

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