Currently Operational On A Number Of Fighter Aircraft

The successful completion of phase 2 of the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod B-52 integration program at Barksdale Air Force Base, LA, was announced by Lockheed Martin Monday. Sniper pod integration on the B-52 will provide aircrews with critical long-range, positive target identification and video downlink capability to forward-deployed forces for non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

In the latest series of flights, Sniper ATP demonstrated its ability to operate on the B-52, proving its extended laser range capability, precision long range target tracking and moving multi-target track.
 
"The Sniper pod demonstrated exceptional high-altitude performance," said Maj. Chris Chandler, Operations Flight Commander with the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron. "The picture quality was just unreal. In multi-target track, the track boxes stayed exactly where I placed them, the range from which I could identify targets was equally impressive."

In August, the U.S. Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a Phase 3 Sniper ATP B-52 integration contract. Phase 3 includes full integration of the Sniper ATP on the B-52 with a new multi-function color display and digital-integrated hand controller.

File Photo

"We're looking forward to operational certification on the B-52," said Ken Fuhr, director of Fixed-wing Targeting Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Sniper ATP deployed on the B-1 bomber in 2008, enabling the aircraft to extend its traditional close-air support mission to include non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. We look forward to providing the same multi-mission capability to the B-52."

The Sniper pod is operational on U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and multinational F-16, F-15, B-1, F-18, Harrier, A-10 and Tornado aircraft. Its common software and hardware interface design enables users to "plug and play" across services and multiple platforms, providing greater interoperability.

Deployed in theater since January 2005, Sniper ATP has been selected by 12 international air forces and coalition partners.

FMI: www.lockheedmartin.com