Lockheed Martin receives $176m from USAF for sensor-enhanced sniper pods

Lockheed Martin received $176.1 million in contracts from the U.S. Air Force for Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod-Sensor Enhancement (ATP-SE) production and upgrade kits that will convert Sniper ATPs to the ATP-SE configuration.

Sniper ATP-SE has improved sensors, a two-way datalink and algorithms that increase air-to-ground, air-to-air and maritime targeting capability. Upgrade kits consist of line replaceable units that will be installed in fielded ATPs. Deliveries of pods and upgrade kits will begin in fourth quarter 2016.

“With the purchase of new Sniper ATP-SEs and the continued conversion of Sniper ATPs to ATP-SEs, the U.S. Air Force will gain greater targeting capability and performance across its multi-platform fleet,” said Paul Lemmo, vice president of Fire Control/SOF CLSS at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Lockheed Martin’s ongoing investments and Sniper’s modular, open architecture have ensured it can address growing threats and remain the pod of choice for air forces worldwide.”

Lockheed Martin was the majority winner of the 2010 U.S. Air Force/Air National Guard ATP-SE competition. As a unique configuration of Sniper ATP, Sniper ATP-SE provides strike fighter and bomber aircraft with advanced modes for non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; improved combat identification; and two-way data link communication.

Sniper ATP has been chosen by the U.S. Air Force and 21 customers worldwide and is interoperable across multiple platforms, including multinational F-2, F-15, F-16, F-18, A-10, B-1 and B-52 aircraft. In 2014, the Sniper ATP team received the Secretary of Defense Performance-Based Logistics Award, recognizing its excellence in providing operational support to warfighters.