New Weapons Targeter Equips Harrier GR9 In Afghanistan

Published: Mar 07, 2007
Source: www.raf.mod.uk



The Ministry of Defence is buying new U.S.-built targeting pods for its GR9 Harrier front line jets.

Lockheed Martin in Florida is providing Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) under the terms of an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) issued by the Royal Air Force late last year.

"The MoD selected Sniper ATP for its proven combat capabilities and low-risk integration benefits," said Hugh Woods, program manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

The units are being delivered this month and would be completed in June. The deliveries come at the same time as the UK is increasing troop levels in Afghanistan and extending the tours of Harrier units in theatre. The GR9 version of the veteran jump jet began deploying to Afghanistan last month and will eventually replace the GR7A model.

On arrival the first two in theatre were off engaging Taliban targets the same day. The rugged GR9A is capable of dropping GPS-guided ordnance at night and in foul weather.

Test flights by the RAF found the Sniper to offer high-quality video and infrared capabilities to assist pilots in identifying potential targets on the ground at longer ranges than current systems. One of the features of Sniper is its ability to detect weapons caches and even individuals on the ground beyond their hearing of the jet.
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