Article Posted on : - May 12, 2015

Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod. Photo: Lockheed Martin.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA (BNS): The Romanian Air Force (RoAF) and Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) recently selected Lockheed Martin's Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) for their F-16 fleets.

"Sniper ATP will provide the RoAF and the RTAF with precision targeting capability to locate targets using high-resolution imagery," Rich Lovette, Sniper ATP international program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, was quoted as saying in the company news release.

Lockheed Martin will integrate and field Sniper ATPs on existing RoAF and RTAF aircraft and provide initial sustainment support. Pod deliveries began in early 2015 to meet operational need requirements.

Sniper ATP offers pilots high-resolution imagery for precision targeting and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

It detects, identifies, automatically tracks and laser-designates small tactical targets at long ranges and supports employment of laser- and GPS-guided weapons against multiple fixed and moving targets.

Sniper ATP's interoperability also enables coalition air forces to use the pod across multiple platforms, including US Air Force and multinational F-15, F-16, F-18, A-10, B-1 and B-52 aircraft.