Lockheed Martin’s Sniper pod is majority winner for Advanced Targeting Pod-Sensor Enhancement contract
The US Air Force selected Lockheed Martin as the winner of the 60 percent share of the Advanced Targeting Pod-Sensor Enhancement (ATP-SE) competition. Lockheed Martin’s Sniper pod offering was determined to be the best overall value to the US Government.
Under the terms of this contract, the Government has options to buy up to 670 pods through 2017. If all options are exercised, Lockheed Martin’s share of the program will total more than $1 billion. The initial contract value is $23.5 million, which will provide pods for the Government’s test program.
“Lockheed Martin is proud to remain the US Air Force’s targeting pod of choice, and we look forward to fielding Sniper in the ATP-SE configuration to provide even greater capability to the Warfighter,” said Tom Simmons, vice president of Fire Control at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
With new enhanced sensors for combat identification and a two-way datalink, Sniper expands non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance and net-centric capabilities.
Sniper offers an affordable road map for modernizing and enhancing precision targeting capabilities for US Air Force and coalition partner F-15, F-16, A-10, B-1 and B-52 aircraft. The Sniper pod’s hardware and software configuration provides continued “plug-and-play” flexibility across services and multiple platforms. The Sensor Enhancement configuration is a field-level upgrade to existing pods.
Source: Lockheed Martin
More from Defence Notes
-
![Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain]()
Orchestrating operational readiness across every defence domain
Are all systems ready for the next mission? Have upgrades been applied? Are all assets aligned to deploy together, on time and fully prepared? In modern defence operations, readiness is no longer measured platform by platform. It is measured by how well people, assets, data and decisions move together — across land, sea and air.
-
![Global tensions drive defence supply chain scrutiny]()
Global tensions drive defence supply chain scrutiny
Governments worldwide are scrambling to decouple defence supply chains from dependency upon strategic rivals, but countries could struggle to do it all themselves.
-
![How deepening AI usage can boost efficiency and maximise effects for forces]()
How deepening AI usage can boost efficiency and maximise effects for forces
Saab has outlined how it is using artificial intelligence to make training more like electronic gaming, while the UK’s Power Size Technologies is applying the same technology to better evaluate and design vehicle capability, moving AI-enabled innovation further upstream from the frontline.
-
![From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)]()
From systems integrator to multi-domain solutions provider (video)
Philipp von Brandenstein, Head of Corporate Communications at Rheinmetall, explains how Eurosatory 2026 marked a new stage in the company's evolution.
-
![US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system]()
US Pentagon pushes for major reform of defence acquisition system
The US Department of Defense has requested new contracting authorities from Congress, using the Army's MV-75 Cheyenne programme to demonstrate how competition, digital engineering and closer industry collaboration could accelerate acquisitions.
-
![US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule]()
US speeds up B61-13 nuclear bomb production as programme moves further ahead of schedule
The US government plans to accelerate production even further after achieving key B61-13 milestones months ahead of schedule, as the programme advances amid growing US-China strategic competition.
