Lockheed Martin has been awarded a contract for the delivery of additional Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP) to the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO), for integration on its fleet of F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.
The $23m contract, announced at the 2012 Farnborough International Airshow in the UK, involves the company performing upgrades and supporting the RAFO’s existing pods, in addition to delivering an unspecified number of new sniper pods.
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Hugh Woods, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control business sniper international programme manager, said the Sniper ATP has protected aircrews worldwide by rapid target detection and identification, while maintaining safe standoff ranges.
”The outstanding reliability and performance of the sniper pods delivered to Oman under the first contract was a key factor in their decision to acquire these additional pods,” Woods added.
Designated as an AN/AAQ-33, the Sniper ATP helps in positive target identification, autonomous tracking, coordinate generation, precise weapons guidance and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (NTISR) in all weather conditions.
In addition to a laser spot tracker to acquire other laser spots from air and ground assets, the pod includes an infrared marker for soldiers using night vision goggles and a video down link to provide ground forces with enhanced situational awareness.
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By GlobalDataAdditional features include high-resolution, mid-wave FLIR and TV sensors, which are used along with a dual-mode laser, to enable eye-safe operation and precise geo-location in urban environments.
The sniper pods are currently deployed on the USAF and multinational F-16, F-15, B-1, F-18, Harrier GR7/9, A-10C, B-52 and CF-18 aircraft, and have also been used during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq and Afghanistan, respectively.
Image: Two RAFO’s F-16 Fighting Falcon jets during flight. Photo: courtesy of Lockheed Martin Corporation.
