Sniper XR Pods add ROVER Downlink to Troops
May 25, 2006 08:40 EDT
(click to view full)
Our January 2006 coverage of the ROVER system and its impact on tactical air support mentioned a number of expected future improvements. Including full integration within the Sniper XR surveillance and targeting pods being purchased by the US Air Force and by Norway, Poland, and Singapore.
That integration is now underway. Lockheed has received a U.S. Air Force cost-plus contract worth approximately $9 million to upgrade its sniper pods with video down link capabilities to Man Pack Rover III ground-based receivers. Sniper pods are currently flying on the U.S. Air Force F-15Es and F-16s, are in developmental flight test on the A-10, and are being integrated on the B-1 bomber. They have accumulated over 20,000 flight hours in more than 3,000 sorties thus far in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
