Lockheed Martin has received a contract to equip the Royal Netherlands Air Force’s (RNLAF) F-16 fleet with Sniper advanced targeting pod (ATP).
Awarded through the Dutch Defence Materiel Organisation, the contract covers the delivery of 29 Sniper ATPs as well as support equipment, training and sustainment.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control director Rich Lovette said: "Expedited delivery will enable the Royal Netherlands Air Force to rapidly deploy Sniper ATP to support current mission requirements.
"Maintaining a high availability rate through our award-winning sustainment programme will also ensure the Sniper ATPs remain operational for warfighters."
The company will be delivering sustainment support for the RNLAF through a performance-based logistics programme.
Delivery of the pods is expected to start in the first quarter of 2016. Depot repairs under this project will be performed at the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex.
The Sniper ATP is designed to provide pilots with high-resolution imagery for precision targeting and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
With this system, aircraft crew will be able to detect, identify, automatically track and laser designate small tactical targets at long ranges, supporting employment of all laser- and GPS-guided weapons against multiple fixed and moving targets.
The Lockheed’s solution is interoperable across multiple platforms, including F-2, F-15, F-16, F-18, A-10, B-1 and B-52 aircraft.
In August, Lockheed secured a direct commercial sale contract for the integration of its Sniper ATP onto the Japan Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF) F-2 aircraft.
Under this contract, Lockheed collaborates with the prime aircraft manufacturer Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in order to integrate the system on the F-2.
Image: A Royal Netherlands Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon. Photo: courtesy of Adrian Pingstone.
