Lockheed Martin will deliver Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP) to Poland in a sale the U.S. State Department said will improve the security of a NATO ally that is a “force for political stability.” The targeting systems for Poland were included in a recently finalized U.S. Foreign Military Sale contract worth $90.68 million to Lockheed Martin. Poland will receive Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods with two-way datalinks, system support and spare parts. The targeting-sensor system will be integrated onto Poland’s new FA-50 fighter jets. Lockheed Martin already equips Polish F-16s with Sniper ATPs. Integration of Sniper ATP will improve the tactical effectiveness of Poland’s FA-50s by enhancing their ability to identify, track, and engage targets from standoff distances. It will expand the capabilities of FA-50 with two-colour laser spot tracking (LST), high-definition, forward-looking infrared (FLIR), and the Global Scope™ sensor software suite for non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (NTISR) missions.
Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) also will increase interoperability with U.S. and NATO forces, the U.S. State Department said upon approving the sale in 2023. The U.S. State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Poland of Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods and related equipment for an estimated cost of $124.7 million. The Government of Poland has requested to buy thirty-four (34) AN/AAQ-33 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP) with Shipping Containers. Also included are system support and support equipment; spare parts, consumables, accessories, and repair and return support; integration and test equipment and support; unclassified software delivery and support; unclassified Computer Program Identification Number (CPIN) systems.
Sniper ATP provides pilots with unmatched imagery for precision targeting and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. In the future, the Sniper pods for Poland’s FA-50 and F-16 fighters could be quickly upgraded to a new variant, the Sniper Networked Targeting Pod, which was announced by Lockheed Martin in July. When enhanced with advanced datalink and radio technology, Sniper pods will enable unprecedented interoperability for 4th Generation aircraft, new F-35 Lightning II fighters, and ground-based artillery systems such as HIMARS. Lockheed Martin’s ongoing innovation with Sniper is part of the company’s vision for 21st Century Security®, which is integrating networking capabilities and edge computing across customers’ aircraft, sensor systems and weapons.
The FA-50 is a light combat aircraft manufactured by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). It is a light combat version of the T-50 Golden Eagle supersonic advanced jet trainer and light attack aircraft. The light attack aircraft replaced the ROKAF’s ageing fighter fleet of F-5E/F and A-37 aircraft. The aircraft can be armed with AIM-9 Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles, AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground tactical missiles (AGM), GBU-38/B Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM), CBU-105 Sensor Fused Weapon (SFW), Mk-82 Low Drag General Purpose (LDGP) bombs and Cluster Bomb Units (CBUs). The aircraft is also mounted with an internal, three-barrel 20mm Gatling gun and LAU-3/A 19-tube 2.75″ rocket launcher for firing Folding-Fin Aerial Rockets (FFAR).
