Oman orders targeting pods

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FARNBOROUGH, England, July 13 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin reports it is providing more Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods to the Royal Air Force of Oman.

The pods will be used on the sultanate's fleet of F-16 fighter aircraft.

The Sniper ATP enhances long-range target identification, providing stable, automatic tracking and laser designation of targets. It also features a video data link with metadata for day/night for sharing day/night visualization imagery with ground troops in real time.

"Sniper ATP is known worldwide for keeping aircrews out of harm's way by detecting and identifying targets while maintaining safe standoff ranges," said Hugh Woods, Sniper international program manager in Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business. "The outstanding reliability and performance of the Sniper pods delivered to Oman under the first contract was a key factor in their decision to acquire these additional pods."

The number of Sniper pods to be delivered was not disclosed.

Sniper uses plug-and-play technology that provides a common, interoperable software and hardware. It is in use on F-16, F-15, B-1, F-18, Harrier, A-10 and B-52 aircraft.

The contract with Oman includes provisions for upgrades to the RAFO's existing pods and support services.