Increases Aerial Hunter's Range Up To Four Times
Lockheed Martin was
awarded a contract to integrate the Sniper XR targeting pod on the
A-10 aircraft in support of the A-10 Precision Engagement (PE)
Program. The contract award follows a successful demonstration of
the Sniper system during the A/OA-10 Precision Engagement upgrade
program's critical design review.
As part of the integration effort, Lockheed Martin Missiles and
Fire Control will develop the Pilot Vehicle Interface (PVI), pod
Operational Flight Program (OFP) software, and pod interface
adapter hardware for the A-10. The pod will be integrated as part
of the PE Program at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration -- Owego
in New York, the prime contractor for the A-10 weapon system.
Upon completion of this effort, the Sniper XR pod (below,
mounted on F-16) will self-detect and automatically load the
appropriate Operational Flight Program when installed on either the
A-10, F-16 or F-15E airframes. This provides a single hardware
configuration that maximizes the USAF's flexibility for precision
attack missions.
"This system gives the pilot the ability to recognize a target
at four times the range of the first generation pods," said Ken
Fuhr, Sniper XR program director, in comparing the two targeting
systems. "The laser spot tracker can also use laser targeting from
another aircraft to deliver a precision bomb, so two aircraft can
work in tandem. They couldn't do that with the first generation
systems. The Sniper XR contract award marks a significant milestone
for the A-10 Precision Engagement upgrade program. This targeting
system provides the aircraft a much needed combat capability and is
an important component of the A-10 weapon system upgrade."
The A-10 is an
objective platform for the U.S. Air Force Advanced Targeting Pod
(Sniper XR), as identified in the ATP contract award to Lockheed
Martin, and will serve as an avenue to significantly expand the
Sniper XR market.
The Sniper XR is a self-contained sensor and laser designator
system that allows improved target detection and identification.
Among the pod's capabilities are an infrared camera for thermal
imaging and an additional camera that adjusts for daylight and low
thermal contrast conditions.
Sniper XR incorporates a high-resolution, mid-wave third
generation Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), a dual-mode laser and a
CCD-TV along with a laser spot tracker, an IR marker. An affordable
precision targeting system in a single, lightweight pod, Sniper XR
is fully compatible with the latest J- series munitions and
precision guided weaponry. The targeting pod has been successfully
integrated on a variety of aircraft to include the F-15E, the F- 16
Block 30/40/50, the A-10 and the F/A-18. Sniper XR's outstanding
performance exemplifies Lockheed Martin's continuing commitment to
meeting warfighter requirements.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.15.24)
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