Lockheed Martin [LMT] recently completed Phase 2 of its Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) B-52 integration program at Barksdale AFB, La., the company said earlier this week.
Sniper pod integration on the B-52 will provide aircrews with long-range, positive target identification and video downlink to forward-deployed forces for non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR).
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, according to a company statement.
“The Sniper pod demonstrated exceptional high-altitude performance,” said Maj. Chris Chandler, Operations Flight Commander with the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron. “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 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.
Sniper ATP deployed on the B-1 bomber last year, allowing the aircraft to extend its traditional close-air support mission to include non-traditional ISR. The pod is also being used on 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.
Deployed in since January 2005, Sniper ATP has also been purchased by 12 international air forces.