The research and development program began at Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' Missiles Division in Israel, with subsequent completion of Litening I for use in the Israeli Air Force.

[3] Northrop Grumman Corporation and Rafael Advanced Defence Systems completed product improvements on the "Basic Pod" including a third generation FLIR, laser marker and software upgrades (Litening II) which was fielded beginning in 1999.

Plug and Play II data-link capability offers increased range, digital data recording and an option to incorporate secure, two-way communications over ultra-high frequency (UHF) radios.

Rafael Advanced Systems announced on the eve of DefExpo 2014 a large order for 150+ Litening targeting pods for the Indian Air Force's combat aircraft fleet.

[7] Litening SE provides laser ranging and designation in support of weapon delivery, navigational functions, and recording and data-linking of generated imagery and data.

This version includes a Plug-N-Play (PnP) III(TM) digital two-way, data link LRU inside the pod.

[8] The Litening III, used on the IAF Tejas, Italian Air Force AMX, and RAF Typhoon aircraft, also provides still image capture for reconnaissance missions in addition to the targeting capabilities found on other models.

[9] A gimballed version of the Litening pod for use on drones such as the Predator B or directly integrated into a crewed aircraft, in addition it incorporates multi-spectral cameras and C & XU band communication channels to transmit recon feeds.