Lockheed Martin Beats French Rival For UAE Pod Order

Mirage
Credit: Dassault

Lockheed Martin will integrate the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) on the Dassault Mirage 2000-9 after a selection by the UAE Air Force and Air Defense (AFAD), which bypassed the traditional French supplier for the delta-wing fighter’s optical sensor. 

The selection means the UAE will have the same targeting pod supplier for the Mirage 2000-9 and F-16 Block 60 fleets. 

But the order also means a key defeat for the Thales Talios pod, which was designed to replace the company’s Damocles sensor now on Mirage fighters.

“The additional Sniper ATPs and upgrades will enhance the UAE AFAD’s precision targeting capability,” said Kenen Nelson, Fixed Wing Programs director at Lockheed’s Missiles and Fire Control unit.

Lockheed has delivered 1,450 targeting pods to 28 customers, including the U.S. Air Force. The installed platforms also include the Japanese F-2, Eurofighter Typhoon, international Harrier and U.S. military fleets of F-15s, F-16s, F/A-18s, A-10s, B-1s and B-52s.

The Sniper ATP uses a medium-wave infrared sensor to identify targets and a laser designator to guide laser-guided weapons.

Steve Trimble

Steve covers military aviation, missiles and space for the Aviation Week Network, based in Washington DC.

Comments

1 Comment
Why include a photo of a Spanish Mirage F1 when you are talking about UAE Mirage 2000-9s? Seems kinda random.