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India-Pakistan
US gives Pakistan 18 Sniper advanced targeting pods for F-16s
2008-07-10
The US government has awarded a contract to Lockheed Martin for 18 Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP), a part of the new advanced block 52 F-16 aircraft programme for Pakistan. With deliveries beginning in 2008, Sniper ATP's exceptional stability and superior imagery will allow Pakistan Air Force to perform intelligence, targeting, surveillance and reconnaissance missions from extended standoff ranges.

Pakistan is the eighth international customer to join the US Air Force and Air National Guard flying with Sniper ATP. The contract includes spares and training services. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Expect the Chinese to get a peek about a week after first delivery to Pakistan ...
"This sale culminates a two-year combined effort by Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control and Aeronautics businesses to upgrade the precision attack capability of one of our key allies," said Ken Fuhr, director of Fixed Wing Targeting Programmes at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Monday. "Sniper continues to demonstrate exceptional performance in meeting the requirements and expectations of the Warfighter."

Sniper incorporates a high-resolution, mid-wave third-generation forward-looking infrared (FLIR), a dual-mode laser permitting eye-safe operation in urban environments, a CCD-TV along with a laser spot tracker and a laser marker. Sniper is fully compatible with the latest J-series munitions and precision-guided weaponry. Its superior detection ranges are vital to pilots, helping keep them out of range of threat air defences.

The Pakistan Air Force joins the UK Ministry of Defence; the Canadian Forces, the Royal Norwegian Air Force; the Polish Air and Air Defense Force; the Royal Air Force of Oman; the Belgium Defence and other international customers with its selection of the Sniper ATP.

Sniper ATP is currently flying on the US Air Force and multinational F-15s, F-16s, F-18s, A-10s, B-1s and the Harrier GR9. Sniper ATPs have accumulated tens of thousands of flight hours in thousands of sorties in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Posted by:john frum

#14  We got the remote kill switch on these, right?
Posted by: OldSpook   2008-07-10 21:33  

#13  video: "8 mile" tracking acquisition of the flying transport-jet doesn't help my heart-burn one bit. We're handing them a remarkable upgrade.

Think of some of the old primitive missiles systems that have a manual/steerable boost phase. Then the terrorist Pakis set up on a ridge-line that is outside our defense ring at our base or airbase.

A) medium boost phase, B) five or six miles of wire C) and a proximity warhead.

OUR Helicopters and Transports will be sitting ducks.
Posted by: RD   2008-07-10 20:09  

#12  Once more with feeling...

VIDEO: Advanced Sniper Targeting Pod
Posted by: RD   2008-07-10 19:43  

#11  
US gives Pakistan 18 Advanced Sniper Targeting Pods for F-16s



VIDEO: check out the detail at 15 miles. who knows the images could be even sharper and larger.

Unless we are filling up these Advanced Sniper Targeting Pods bound for Pakland with old washing machine partz..
WHY?
Posted by: RD   2008-07-10 19:38  

#10  Sniper ATP's exceptional stability and superior imagery will allow Pakistan Air Force to perform intelligence, targeting, surveillance and reconnaissance missions from extended standoff ranges.

Extended standoff ranges? Wow. Those Al Qaeda - Taliban air defense systems must be really good.
Posted by: john frum   2008-07-10 19:36  

#9  Who is responsible? The White House proclaimed Saudi Arabia and Pakistan as premier Muslim "allies" against terror. As ye sow...
Posted by: Unomoper the Grim4096   2008-07-10 16:59  

#8  Expect the Chinese to get a peek about a week after first delivery to Pakistan

For some people its a plus.
Posted by: g(r)omgoru   2008-07-10 15:46  

#7  Now this should be listed under "Idiot of the Day"
Posted by: Lonzo Fleash9123   2008-07-10 14:11  

#6  What. In. The. Hell.

Who is responsible for this BS?!
Posted by: swksvolFF   2008-07-10 12:17  

#5  Wasn't it yesterday when I read that Paki troops are shooting at US troops in Afghanistan, and US troops are not permitted to return fire?

Who is projecting weakness and impotence.
Posted by: McZoid   2008-07-10 11:57  

#4  I really wish we would stop giving our really good stuff to neanderthals. It is soooo going to bite us in the ass later.
Posted by: DarthVader   2008-07-10 10:27  

#3  This is just dumb...a very bad idea on so many levels.
Posted by: logi_cal   2008-07-10 10:09  

#2  I wonder if a Pakistani F-16 has ever even seen the airspace over the Wazoos or the NWFP?
Posted by: tu3031   2008-07-10 09:34  

#1  Sniper incorporates a high-resolution, mid-wave third-generation forward-looking infrared (FLIR), a dual-mode laser permitting eye-safe operation in urban environments, a CCD-TV along with a laser spot tracker and a laser marker.

Is that all?
Posted by: bigjim-ky   2008-07-10 07:50  

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