Lockheed Martin will provide targeting pods for Kuwaiti fighter jets.
In a statement released on May 15, 2017, Lockheed Martin announced it had received an order from the U.S. Air Force for Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods (ATPs), to be provided for Kuwaiti F/A-18C/D fighter jets, already in service with the Kuwaiti Air Force. The order is for 14 Sniper ATPs, spares, support equipment, and integration.
Lockheed Martin will begin deliveries next year.
Paul Lemmo, Vice President of Fire Control/Special Operations Forces Contractor Logistics Support Services at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said, “Sniper ATP provides critical targeting and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support in challenging threat environments.
“By integrating Sniper ATP on its Hornet aircraft, the Kuwait Air Force continues expanding operational capabilities across its fighter fleet,” he added.
Last year, Kuwait placed an order for 18 Sniper ATPs for its Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets. The country has purchased 28 Typhoon jets, 22 of which will be single-seat. The remaining six will be twin-seat versions.
Honored to deliver symbolically to #Kuwait Ambassador the first manufactured part of the #Kuwait @Eurofighter_1 #Typhoon500 pic.twitter.com/1WiIoFAT48— Leonardo Aircraft (@AleniaAermacchi) April 11, 2017
The Sniper pods for the Typhoon jets are to be delivered beginning this year, to support integration efforts.
Kuwait may additionally purchase more F/A-18s, equipped with Sniper ATPs, from the United States. In November 2016, the U.S. State Department approved a possible sale worth $10.1 billion of 40 F/A-18E/F jets to Kuwait.
Kuwaiti officials have previously suggested they may move forward with a purchase of 28 of the approved 40 aircraft.
Military markets analyst, covering Eurasia, Middle East, and Africa.
