TSAMTO, November 1st. On October 30, Lockheed Martin announced the signing of a contract for the supply to Poland of 27 advanced AN/AAQ-33 "Sniper-ATP" aerial target designation containers for light combat aircraft FA-50PL Block.20.
According to a press release from the American company, the cost of Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATP) systems supplied under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program will amount to $90.68 million.
The new Sniper-ATP kits are designed to integrate with the new South Korean FA-50PL Block light combat aircraft.20 of the Polish Air Force, which is expected to be delivered from 2025. Earlier, Poland also acquired this system for 48 F-16 Block 52+ Fighting Falcon fighters delivered in 2006-2008.
Lockheed Martin notes that in the future, the Sniper-ATP modules supplied for the FA-50 and F-16 can be quickly upgraded to a new version of the Sniper Networked Targeting Pod, which the company announced in July. When improved with the help of advanced technologies, the data transmission and radio communication systems, the new complexes will ensure compatibility with 4th generation aircraft, new fifth-generation F-35 Lightning 2 fighters and ground artillery systems such as HIMARS.
Recall that last year, the US State Department decided to approve the potential supply to the Polish government under the Foreign Military Sales program of 34 advanced AN/AAQ-33 "Sniper ATP" air suspension containers with shipping containers and related equipment. The total value of the sale was estimated at $124.7 million. The U.S. Department of Defense's Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of the possibility of a sale on May 9, 2023.
The Armaments Agency of the Polish Ministry of National Defense signed an intergovernmental agreement ("Letter of proposal and acceptance"; Letter of Acceptance – LOA) for the acquisition of ATP Sniper systems on August 18, 2023.
Lockheed Martin's "Sniper-ATP" corporation provides the ability for a pilot to obtain high-resolution images, perform information collection, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks, as well as carry out accurate targeting of several stationary and moving targets. The container allows you to detect, identify, automatically accompany, and target small tactical targets with a laser from a long range. It also provides adjustment of various guided munitions with laser and GPS guidance for hitting stationary and moving targets.
The FA-50 is a South Korean light two–seat combat aircraft equipped with modern avionics and fire control radar. The maximum take–off weight is 12.3 tons, the payload weight is up to 4.5 tons. It is armed with a 20 mm cannon and a wide range of suspended aviation weapons, including the AIM-9 Sidewinder air-to-air UR, the AGM-65 Mavrik air-to-ground UR, as well as several types of bombs for various purposes. The aircraft is equipped with an afterburner engine with a capacity of 17.7 thousand pounds (79 kN) and is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 1.5 M (1837.5 km/h). The flight range is 1800 km, the practical ceiling is 14.6 km.
Polish-contracted FA-50 aircraft in the Block version.20 will be distinguished by improved flight range characteristics, a package of weapons, as well as avionics and radar, in accordance with the requirements of the Polish Air Force. This version, in particular, is supposed to be equipped with Raytheon's PhantomStrike radar, AIM-120 AMRAAM air-to-air missiles, a Thales Scorpion helmet-mounted display and Lockheed Martin's Sniper container targeting system.
