AN/AAQ-33 – Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) – Smartencyclopedia

Design

A B-1B Lancer bomber offensive systems officer loads software into a Sniper advanced targeting pod prior to a mission. The long-range targeting system provides aircrews with positive target identification, autonomous tracking coordinate generation, and precise weapons guidance from extended standoff ranges.

The Sniper is a single, lightweight targeting pod with much lower aerodynamic drag than the systems it replaces. Its image processing allows aircrews to detect, identify and engage tactical-size targets outside the range of most enemy air defenses, giving it a crucial role in the destruction of enemy air defense missions. It also supports urban engagements beyond jet noise range for counter-insurgency operations. It offers a 3-5X increase in detection range over the older LANTIRN system and is currently flying on U.S. Air Force and multinational F-16, F-15, B-1B, CF-18, Harrier, A-10, B-52, and Tornado aircraft.

The pod incorporates a high-definition mid-wave FLIR, dual-mode laser, visible-light HDTV, laser spot tracker, laser marker, video data link, and a digital data recorder. Advanced sensors and image processing incorporating image stabilization enable targets to be identified at ranges that minimize exposure to defensive enemy systems. The dual-mode laser offers an eye-safe mode for urban combat and training operations along with a laser-guided bomb designation laser.

The pod’s FLIR allows observation and tracking through smoke and clouds, and in low light / no light conditions. The CCD camera supports the same operations in visible light for most daylight conditions.

For target coordination with ground and air forces, a laser spot tracker, a laser marker, and an HDTV quality video down-link to ground-based controllers support rapid target detection and identification. The Sniper can also provide high-resolution imagery for non-traditional Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (NTISR) missions without occupying the centerline station on small fighter aircraft, and can maintain surveillance even when the aircraft maneuvers. As a result, a second, dedicated fighter aircraft isn’t needed to provide protection to a dedicated ISR aircraft, which many small nations cannot afford.

For ease of maintenance, Sniper’s optical bed design, partitioning, and diagnostic capabilities permit two-level maintenance, eliminating costly intermediate-level support. Automated built-in testing allows maintenance personnel to isolate and replace a line replaceable unit in under 20 minutes to restore full mission-capable status.

Advanced Sensor Features

Industry-leading passive detection, tracking, and ranging for air-to-air and air-to-surface targets
High-definition sensors
Laser spot tracker
Ability to deliver laser energy to accurately support laser-guided weapons against moving targets
Laser designator with aircrew selectable tactical and eye-safe wavelengths
Two-way full-motion video datalink with metadata
Digital data recordeExtended range precision geo-coordinate generation
Global Scope® advanced sensor software suite for ISR, video and metadata playback, advanced scene visualization, and point of interest planning

Here are some of the specific missions that the Sniper ATP can be used for:

Precision strike: The Sniper ATP can be used to designate targets for laser-guided weapons, such as the AGM-114 Hellfire missile. This allows aircraft to engage targets with pinpoint accuracy from standoff ranges.
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR): The Sniper ATP can be used to collect imagery and targeting data on a variety of targets. This data can be used to support a wide range of missions, including planning and executing strikes, tracking enemy movements, and assessing damage.
Search and rescue: The Sniper ATP can be used to search for and locate missing persons or objects. The high-resolution imagery from the pod can be used to identify potential targets, and the laser rangefinder can be used to measure distances.
Counter-insurgency (COIN): The Sniper ATP can be used to support COIN operations by providing accurate target location data and imagery. This data can be used to plan and execute strikes against enemy forces, as well as to track and monitor insurgent activities.

The Sniper ATP is a powerful and versatile targeting pod that can be used to support a wide range of missions. It is a valuable asset to military forces around the world.

In use

Netherlands becomes the 21st export customer of Lockheed Martin s Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod 640 001

In August 2001, the U.S. Air Force announced Lockheed Martin’s Sniper as the winner of the Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) competition. The contract provides for pods and associated equipment, spares, and support of the F-16 and F-15E aircraft for the entire force, active-duty Air Force, and Air National Guard. The U.S. Air Force’s initial seven-year contract for Sniper ATP has a potential value in excess of $843 million. The Sniper ATP has delivered over 125 pods and the U.S. Air Force plans to procure at least 522 Sniper ATPs. The follow-on Advanced Targeting Pod – Sensor Enhancement (ATP-SE) contract was split between the Lockheed Martin Sniper and the LITENING.

In 2014, the USAF declared initial operational capability for the Sniper ATP-SE which included sensor and networking improvements.

The Sniper is used on the U.S. Air Force B-52H Stratofortress, B-1B Lancer, F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and A-10 Thunderbolt II. It was also used on the British Harrier GR9 and the Canadian CF-18 Hornet. In 2016 Lockheed Martin announced that Kuwait would be the first country to use Sniper on the Eurofighter Typhoon. A team of Lockheed Martin UK, BAE Systems, and Leonardo S.p.A. (Selex S&AS at the time) has successfully demonstrated and flown a Sniper ATP on board a Tornado GR4 combat aircraft.

The Sniper came under fire in 2014 in the aftermath of a deadly airstrike in Afghanistan that saw five American and one Afghan soldier killed when a B-1B bomber equipped with the pod could not detect the infrared strobe lights on the helmets of U.S. troops in a firefight, resulting in the deadliest case of friendly fire between American forces in the course of the Afghanistan War. On 27 March 2015, Lockheed Martin was awarded a sole-source contract by the US DOD worth $485 million firm fixed price with minimal cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity to provide multiple Sniper advanced targeting pods to the USAF.

Operators

Belgium

Belgian Air Force

Canada

Royal Canadian Air Force

Egypt

Egyptian Air Force

Indonesia

Indonesian Air Force

Iraq

Iraqi Air Force

Japan

Japan Air Self Defence Force

Jordan

Royal Jordanian Air Force

South Korea

Republic of Korea Air Force

Morocco

Royal Moroccan Air Force

Netherlands

Royal Netherlands Air Force

Norway

Royal Norwegian Air Force

Oman

Royal Air Force of Oman

Pakistan

Pakistan Air Force

Poland

Polish Air Force

Romania

Romanian Air Force

Saudi Arabia

Royal Saudi Air Force

Singapore

Republic of Singapore Air Force

Taiwan

Republic of China Air Force

Thailand

Royal Thai Air Force

Greece

Hellenic Air Force

Turkey

Turkish Air Force

United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates Air Force

United Kingdom

Royal Air Force

United States

United States Air Force

Specifications

anaaq33 06 800x600

Primary function: Positive identification, automatic tracking, and laser designation
Prime contractor: Lockheed Martin
Length: 98.2 inches (252 centimeters)
Diameter: 11.9 inches (30.5 centimeters)
Weight: 446 pounds (202 kilograms)
Aircraft: F-15E, F-16, A-10, B-1, B-52, CF-18, Harrier, Tornado GR4, KAI T-50 Golden Eagle, F-2
Sensors: Mid-wave third-generation forward-looking infrared, dual mode eye-safe, laser designator, Charge-coupled device-TV, laser spot tracker, and laser designator
Date Deployed: January 2005

References

Notes

^ Majumdar, Dave (26 December 2014). “Newest U.S. Stealth Fighter ’10 Years Behind’ Older Jets”. The Daily Beast.
^ “Sniper Pod > U.S. Air Force > Fact Sheet Display”.
^ “Sniper ATP: Feature Stories · Lockheed Martin”. 23 July 2019.
^ “U.S. Air Force Declares Initial Operational Capability for Lockheed Martin’s Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod – Sensor Enhancement”. www.lockheedmartin.com. Lockheed Martin. 17 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
^ (22 September 2015) Sniper Pod Archived 2017-12-01 at the Wayback Machine accessdate=2017-11-28
^ “SNIPER CONTRACT A HIT FOR UK HARRIER”.
^ Harrington, Caitlin (March 16, 2009), Jane’s {{citation}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)^{[full citation needed]}
^ “Lockheed Martin Sniper Targeting Pods For Kuwaiti Eurofighter Typhoons”. www.defenseworld.net. Defense World. 28 September 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
^ “Lockheed Martin uk demonstrates Sniper advanced targeting pod on board tornado gr4”. Archived from the original on 2008-05-31.
^ “Investigation: Friendly fire airstrike that killed U.S. Special Forces was avoidable”. Washington Post. 2014-09-04. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
^ Pike, John. “Sniper XR ATP – Advanced Targeting Pod – Smart Weapons”.
^ “Lockheed Martin To Supply ATP’s for Pakistan Air Force F-16s – India Defence”. Archived from the original on 2007-05-17.
^ “Egypt purchases Sniper ATP”. F-16.net. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
^ Jakarta, U. S. Embassy (2017-04-21). “Commercial Deliverables for Commercial Signing Ceremony”. U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Indonesia. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
^ Delalande, Arnaud (2016). Iraqi Air Power Reborn: The Iraqi air arms since 2004. Houston: Harpia Publishing. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-9854554-7-7.
^ “航空自衛隊：ターゲティング・ポッドの機種決定について”. Archived from the original on 2013-09-27.
^ Eric, Hehs (2015-11-12). “Japan’s F-2 Support Fighter”. CODE ONE. Retrieved 2020-08-05.
^ “Lockheed’s global arms sales boosted: Lockheed’s global arms sales buoyed by deals with Jordan, Finland”.
^ “120th Fighter Squadron (RoKAF)”. F-16.net. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
^ Cooper 2018, p. IV
^ “ROMANIA AND THAILAND (FMS) SNIPER ADVANCED TARGETING PODS (ATP) – Federal Business Opportunities: Opportunities”.
^ “Saudis Seek Sniper ATP Supplementation for F-15S”.
^ “181 Filo (TUAF)”. F-16.net. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
^ Cooper 2018, p. III
^ “Locheed Martin Sniper pdf file” (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-10-14.

Bibliography

Cooper, Tom (2018). Hot Skies Over Yemen, Volume 2: Aerial Warfare Over Southern Arabian Peninsula, 1994-2017. Warwick, UK: Helion & Company Publishing. ISBN 978-1-911628-18-7.

Archives