Lockheed Martin has completed Phase 2 of testing for the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) B-52 integration program. The Sniper pod is designed to provide B-52 aircrews with positive target identification and video downlink to forward-deployed forces for surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
In latest tastes, the Sniper was proved capable of operating on the B-52. Major Chris Chandler, Operations Flight Command of the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron, said “The Sniper pod demonstrated exceptional high-altitude performance. The picture quality was just unreal. In multi-target track, the track boxes stayed exactly where I placed them, the range from which I could identify targets was equally impressive.”
Ken Fuhr, director of Fixed-wing Targeting Programs for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said “We’re looking forward to operational certification on the B-52. Sniper ATP deployed on the B-1 bomber in 2008, enabling the aircraft to extend its traditional close-air support mission to include non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. We look forward to providing the same multi-mission capability to the B-52.”
