An enhanced version of Lockheed Martin’s Sniper targeting pod is now available to the Air Force for use in combat overseas, announced manufacturer Lockheed Martin on Monday. The Air Force declared initial operational capability for the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod-Sensor Enhancement system, according to the company’s March 17 release. Among its features, the new configuration offers advanced modes for collecting non-traditional intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information and two-way data link communication. “The path to IOC involved collaboration between Lockheed Martin and the US Air Force to complete a two-year, six-platform ATP-SE test program,” said Ken Fuhr, the company’s director of fixed-wing programs. Lockheed Martin said it produced more than 100 ATP-SE pods and integrated the new variant on A-10C, B-1B, F-15E, and F-16 Block 30, Block 40, and Block 50 airplanes. B-1s from Dyess AFB, Texas, were the first operational aircraft to deploy with the new Snipers, states the release.
Anduril and General Atomics will develop their Collaborative Combat Aircraft for the Air Force, beating out Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman, the service announced on April 24. But any of the non-selected companies can compete to actually manufacture the eventual design, the Air Force said.