Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod Successfully Integrates with Kuwait F-18 Super Hornet

[+GKABS]

In conjunction with the U.S. Navy, completed its first flight test integrating Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) with the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for the Kuwait Air Force. Sniper ATP will be located on the Weapon Station 5, an area on the aircraft where pods or weapons attach, and is expected to be fielded with the aircraft in late 2023. This integration gives existing and future Super Hornet fleets the ability to add Sniper ATP’s precision targeting and surveillance capabilities, which are critical to pilot survivability.

“Integrating Sniper ATP onto Weapon Station 5, commonly known as the ‘cheek station,’ brings state-of-the-art tracking algorithms, two-way-data-link, and many other capabilities to the Kuwait F/A-18E/F crews that will positively impact the overall success of their missions,” said Kenen Nelson, director of Fixed Wing Sensor Programs at Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control. “This also means that all F/A-18E/F customers will have the option of a reliable, easily maintainable and modern targeting pod.”

To verify the mechanics of the system, flight testing with a non-operational Sniper ATP was conducted at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland in March. Subsequently, flight-testing with an operational Sniper ATP was conducted at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake in California in March. Both first flight tests were successful.

“The Sniper ATP provides an additional tool in the already robust Kuwait F/A-18 Super Hornet package,” said Jessica Idleman, Boeing program manager Kuwait F/A-18 program. “The Super Hornet provides the warfighter with enhanced situational awareness and Sniper ATP is an important part of our technology insertion plan and future growth of the platform.”

Currently, Sniper ATP flies on both the Kuwait F/A-18C/D and Canadian CF-18 Hornets. As the Kuwait Air Force transitions to the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, they will benefit by receiving the new capabilities that the latest Sniper ATP configuration provides to the Super Hornet fleet. There are currently more than 27 countries and 15 different types of aircraft operating with the platform-agnostic Sniper ATP. The modular design, field-proven reliability (Sniper ATP exceeds 500 hours Mean Time Between Maintenance Events [MTBME]) and a world-class depot partnership with Robins Air Force Base makes Sniper the lowest Life Cycle Costs targeting pod on the market. 

Edited November 15, 2021 by GKABS

[+Stratos]

Super Hornets, Typhoons... why so many airplanes? deterrent against Iran?

[+GKABS]

Kuwait is replacing the old F/A -18 (Kuwait government is making negotiation with Malaysia anf Tunisia to try to resell 27 old F-18)

with the new super Hornets but insted of geting 48 jet they have decided to get 28 Super Hornets and 28 Eurofighter Typhoons. 

One reason behind this choice is to keep the Kuwait Air Force  options open, If any of those country decided not to resupply them with spare parts, rearmament or support,  They still have the other country support. 

One more thing is to benefit from having both of those advanced Fighters capabilities as they complement each other. 

1 hour ago, Stratos said:

deterrent against Iran?

Definitely, no doubt about it to protect the sky of Kuwait and The rest of the GCC. (The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf) countries in coordination with the other GCC Air Forces. 

Edited November 15, 2021 by GKABS

[+Stratos]

I got the options part, after all Spain did the same during Cold War with the US and France. Interesting part about Iran.

[+GKABS]

Kuwait has two neighboring countries,  which aways been a threat. Iraq, and Iran. Iraq right now is very weak. and controlled by Iran. So, Iran is the number one threat to Kuwait in any given scenario. 

[tangouniform]

You have to invest your money somewhere