Lockheed Martin officials tell Air Warfare Symposium attendees the company expects this year to demonstrate for the Air Force the two-way “John Madden” capability of its Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod. In the Sniper’s first demonstration, Lockheed used a video downlink that showed streaming TV with increased resolution and imagery. The second demonstration will feature transmit and receive, high-definition quality, two-way connectivity to generate even more precise targeting ability. Lockheed plans to offer the Air Force the John Madden video-to-ground feature in real-time to replace LANTIRN targeting pods on the F-16 and F-15E. Lockheed already has received a contract for a B-1B Sniper flight demo and hopes to flight test it with the B-52 later this year.
U.S. Air Force and Navy fighter jets are playing a prominent role in patrolling for threats as part of the U.S. naval blockade of Iran, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.