First Sites in Arizona and Germany
Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force
have successfully completed Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP)
A-10C site activations at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson
and Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany. Sniper ATP site activations
involve pod installation, maintenance and aircrew training.
Coordinated with the Air Force Precision Attack Systems Project
Office and Air Combat Command, Sniper ATP site activation efforts
ensure maintainers are prepared to fully support the system in
theater and that aircrews are proficient with pod operations and
capabilities.
Selected competitively as the Advanced Targeting Pod for the
U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, the Sniper ATP provides
critical long-range, positive identification of both moving and
stationary air and ground targets. It also possesses a video down
link equipped with the widely used Rover ground receiver to relay
high-resolution streaming video to forward-deployed forces for
non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and
rapid target coordination.
"The Sniper pod delivers true precision engagement while
increasing standoff, allowing for both greater lethality and
increased survivability in a hostile combat environment," said Lt.
Col. Millen, commander of the 354th Fighter Squadron, Davis-Monthan
AFB.
Designed, developed and manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the
Sniper ATP provides precision engagement through its
high-resolution, mid-wave forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and TV
sensors, which operate in conjunction with a dual-mode laser,
permitting eye-safe operation and precise geo-location in urban
environments.
With advanced integration across U.S. Air Force and
multinational F-16, F-15, B-1, F-18, Harrier, A-10, B-52 and
Tornado aircraft, the Sniper ATP's common software and hardware
interface design enables users to "plug and play" across services
and multiple platforms, providing a common software and hardware
configuration across aircraft fleets for greater
interoperability.
"The Sniper ATP represents a significant improvement in combat
capability," said Lt. Col. Michael Millen, "With the addition
of the Sniper ATP, the A-10C has realized a quantum leap in its
ability to locate, identify, track and ultimately defeat targets
across the modern battlefield. The A-10C with Sniper ATP is an
incredibly lethal combination."
Sniper ATP is currently site activated at operational U.S. Air
Force and Air National Guard F-16 Block 30/40/42/50/52, as well as
all F-15E and B-1 bases. It is deployed in combat operations on
F-16, F-15E, B-1 and Harrier GR7 and GR9 aircraft. At the close of
2008, over 500 Sniper pods were delivered or on order to the U.S.
Air Force, Air National Guard and 10 international air forces,
including coalition partners.
Sniper ATP A-10C site activation efforts are scheduled to
continue this summer at Moody AFB, GA.