Sniper Targeting pod of the Pakistan Airforce

Pakistan was the eighth international customer to order Lockheed Martin’s Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod in May 2007. Earlier, the pod was in service with the US Air Force and Air National Guard, as well as six other countries. Its deliveries to Pakistan started in 2008.

We will discuss the capabilities of the Sniper Targeting pod of the Pakistan Airforce & other important aspects including its follow-up order from the Pakistan Air Force

𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐝

The sniper pod developed by Lockheed Martin was originally selected by the US Air Force as an Advanced Targeting Pod in August 2001. Initially, the contract for this pod & related spares and equipment support for F16 and F15E aircraft was awarded. All F-16, F-15E and A-10 aircraft of the Air Force and Air National Guard were to be equipped with them. In January 2005, US Air Force F-15E aircraft was first deployed overseas with this targeting pod.

From this pod, the F-16 was equipped in 2006, the B-1 bomber in 2008 and the A-10C in 2010. This pod was later integrated on B52 as well. This Pod is compatible with Harrier, all blocks of F16, F18, F15E and B1 along with B52.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐅𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 p𝐨𝐝

The pod weighs 202kg, Length is 98.2 inches and diameter is 11.9 inches. It was first deployed in January 2005. Twenty-seven countries around the world are currently using this advanced targeting pod. So far, more than 1,500 sniper pods have been delivered and are being used on 15 different platforms, including the F2 and Eurofighter Typhoon.

𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞 𝐒𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐝 𝐀𝐜𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

The first order of this American-made targeting pod was placed by the Pakistan Air Force in May 2007 with F-16 Block 52 aircraft. Eighteen pods were initially ordered. Delivery began in 2008, but some sources also quote 2010. The acquisition of this targeting pod enhanced the Pakistan Air Force’s ability to perform intelligence, targeting, surveillance and reconnaissance missions on the stand-by range. Four more sniper pods were also purchased from Pakistan.

While 15 more orders were placed in July 2015. That means Pakistan has 37 sniper targeting pods.

Read this: PAF Black Panthers re-equipped with JF17 Block-III

𝐒𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬

The sniper targeting pod actually gives the pilot the ability to detect and identify armed men and ammunition depot away from the sound of the aircraft. Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod is capable of performing long-range target detection, identification and surveillance in all types of missions.

This includes close air support for ground forces. The pod has the ability to share tactical-sized targets in the cockpit with the help of real-time imagery with auto-tracking and laser designation features. The pod can perform non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in war theatre. Which helps the Air Force provide top cover to ground forces and ensure the safety of the civilian population.

Laser-guided and GPS-guided weapons from Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod are also used for employment against a variety of moving and fixed targets.

𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐧𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐢𝐫 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞

Since joining the Pakistan Air Force service, the pod has helped target terrorist hideouts with pinpoint accuracy and protect the civilian population from collateral damage. Equipped with this pod, the F-16s not only identified the terrorists’ arsenals and ambush sites but also played a significant role in targeting them.

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