Lockheed Martin has secured a $262.8m contract from the US Air Force (USAF) for sustainment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s F-15 sensor suite.
The sensor suite consists of Sniper advanced targeting pods (ATP), Lantirn extended range (ER) navigation pods and infrared search and track (IRST) systems.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control SOF CLSS / fire control vice-president Paul Lemmo said: "Since 1996, Lockheed Martin has provided the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with its most advanced sensor systems, including Sniper ATP, Lantirn ER and IRST.
"By leveraging in-Kingdom capabilities, the Royal Saudi Air Force will have its sensors maintained and upgraded to provide unmatched availability and performance for years to come."
As part of the contract, Lockheed Martin will join with Saudi-based Advanced Electronics Company (AEC) to carry out Sniper ATP and Lantirn ER sustainment services.
This partnership will also perform Lantirn ER pod upgrades at the Sniper expanded repair capability facility in Saudi Arabia.
The Sniper ATP is designed to provide pilots with high-resolution imagery for precision targeting and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Equipped with improved sensors, a two-way datalink and algorithms, the system will allow aircraft crew 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 October, USAF awarded $176.1m contract to Lockheed Martin for the delivery of sniper ATP-SE production and upgrade kits to covert sniper ATPs to the ATP-SE configuration.
Upgrade kits includes line replaceable units that will be installed in fielded ATPs of the USAF.
Image: A Royal Saudi Air Force F-15 approaches a KC-135 for refuelling during Operation Desert Shield. Photo: courtesy of TECH. SGT. H. H. DEFFNER.
