| Sniper ATP | |
|---|---|
| Infraredtargeting pod | |
 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod hangs on aB-1B Lancerhardpoint mount | |
| Status | In service |
| Manufacturing Info | |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Introduced | January 1, 2014; 11 years ago (2014-01-01) |
| Production Period | 2014–present (11 years) |
| Specifications | |
| Diameter | 11.9 in (300 mm) |
| Weight | 446 lb (202 kg) |
| Usage | |
| Used byMilitary | See§ Operators |
| Used byAircraft | See§ Operators |
| Variants |
|
Manufactured byLockheed Martin, theSniper® is a family oftargeting pods formilitary aircraft providing positivetarget identification, autonomous tracking,GPS coordinate generation, and precisemunition guidance from extended standoff ranges.
The system has been designatedAN/AAQ-33 in U.S. military service as theSniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP). Further variants are theSniper Extended Range (XR), as well as thePANTERA export derivative of the Sniper XR. TheLockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II is built with the equivalent of the Sniper XR in its onboard sensors called theAN/AAQ-40Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS).[1] The most modern version is theSniper Advanced Targeting Pod - Sensor Enhancement (ATP-SE).
In accordance with theJoint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS), theAN/AAQ-33 andAN/AAQ-40 designations represent the 33rd and 40th designs of anArmy-Navyelectronic device for an airborneinfrared special-purpose/combination system. The JETDS system also now is used to name allDepartment of Defense and someNATO electronic systems.
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The Sniper is a single, lightweighttargeting pod with much loweraerodynamic drag than the systems it replaces. Itsimage 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 enemyair defense missions. It also supports urban engagements beyond jet noise range forcounter-insurgency operations. It offers a 3-5X increase in detection range over the olderLANTIRN system, and is employed on a wide assortment ofU.S. Air Force and multinational aircraft.
The pod incorporates a high definition mid-waveFLIR, dual-mode laser, visible-light HDTV, laser spot tracker, laser marker, video data link, and a digital data recorder.[2] Advanced sensors and image processing incorporating image stabilization enable targets to be identified at ranges which 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 supports rapid target detection and identification. The Sniper can also provide high-resolution imagery for non-traditionalintelligence, 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.[3]
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 aline replaceable unit in under 20 minutes to restore full mission-capable status.
In August 2001, the USAF announced Lockheed Martin's Sniper as the winner of the Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) competition.[citation needed] The contract provided for pods and associated equipment, spares and support of the F-16 and F-15E aircraft for the Air Force andAir National Guard. The U.S. Air Force's initial seven-year contract for Sniper ATP had a potential value in excess ofUS$843 (equivalent to $1,497 in 2024) million. Lockheed Martin has delivered over 125 Sniper ATP pods and the U.S. Air Force had plans to procure at least 522 more. The follow-on Advanced Targeting Pod – Sensor Enhancement (ATP-SE) contract was split between the Lockheed Martin Sniper and theLITENING.
In 2008, a team of Lockheed Martin UK,BAE Systems andLeonardo S.p.A. (SELEX Sensors and Airborne Systems at the time) successfully demonstrated a Sniper ATP on board theTornado GR4 combat aircraft.[4]
In 2014, the USAF declaredinitial operational capability (IOC) milestone for the Sniper ATP-SE which included sensor and networking improvements.[5]
Also in 2014, the Sniper program came under criticism in the aftermath of a deadlyairstrike inAfghanistan resulting in the death of one Afghan and five American soldiers 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. This was the deadliest case offriendly fire between American forces during the course of thewar in Afghanistan.[6]
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.[citation needed]
Lockheed Martin announced in 2016 thatKuwait would be the first country to use Sniper on theEurofighter Typhoon.[7]
In May 2024, theTaiwaneseMinistry of National Defense released video footage confirming theF-16V Viper fighter aircraft of theirRepublic of China Air Force calibrated the AN/AAQ-33 Sniper ATP pod againstShenyang J-16D andXi'an H-6K aircraft of theChinesePeople's Liberation Army Air Force crossing into the Taiwaneseair defense identification zone (ADIZ).[8]
As of 2025, the Sniper is used on the USAF'sB-52H Stratofortress,B-1B Lancer,F-15E Strike Eagle,F-16 Fighting Falcon, andA-10 Thunderbolt II.[9] It was also used on theBritishHarrier GR9 and theCanadianCF-18 Hornet.[10][11]
In November 2025, Lockheed Martin revealed the Sniper NTP version which supports theMultifunction Advanced Data Link aka MADL.[12]
Belgian Air Force[13]
Royal Canadian Air Force[13]
Egyptian Air Force[14]
Hellenic Air Force
Indonesian Air Force[15]
Iraqi Air Force[16]
Japan Air Self-Defense Force[17][18]
Royal Jordanian Air Force[19]
Royal Moroccan Air Force[20]
Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force
Royal Norwegian Air Force[13]
Royal Air Force of Oman[13]
Pakistan Air Force[13]
Polish Air Force[13]
Romanian Air Force[21]
Royal Saudi Air Force[22]
Republic of Singapore Air Force[22]
South Korea[23]
Republic of China Air Force
Royal Thai Air Force
Turkish Air Force[24]
United Arab Emirates Air Force[25]
Royal Air Force[13]
United States Air Force[13]Each of the above militaries uses an assortment of equipment and aircraft, including theA-10 Thunderbolt II,B-1B Lancer,B-52 Stratofortress,CF-18 Hornet,Dassault Rafale,Eurofighter Typhoon,F-15E Strike Eagle,F-16 Fighting Falcon,Harrier Jump Jet,[26]Mitsubishi F-2,T-50 Golden Eagle,Tornado GR4,[4]
Source: Product datasheet[26]
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