LM Receives $23 M to Deliver Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods to RAFO

Jul 10, 2012 ASDNews Source : Lockheed Martin Corporation

Lockheed Martin has received a $23 million contract from the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) to provide additional Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP) for their F-16 fleet.

In addition to the new Sniper pod deliveries, the contract also includes upgrades to the RAFO's existing pods and support.

"Sniper ATP is known worldwide for keeping aircrews out of harm's way by detecting and identifying targets while maintaining safe standoff ranges," said Hugh Woods, Sniper international program manager in Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business. "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."

Sniper ATP provides critical long-range, positive target identification, enhancing an aircrew's ability to detect and analyze ground targets while dramatically decreasing the risks posed by enemy air defenses.  The system's stable, automatic tracking and laser designation of targets, along with a video datalink with metadata, ensure pilots can visually identify threats in day/night conditions and share imagery with ground troops.

Sniper's interoperability enables coalition air forces to use the pod across multiple platforms. Its plug-and-play technology provides a common software and hardware configuration across the aircraft fleets. Sniper pods provide advanced targeting and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability on U.S. Air Force and multinational F-16, F-15, B-1, F-18, Harrier, A-10 and B-52 aircraft.