Litening II targeting pod, built around a high resolution forward looking infra-red sensors (FLIR). The FLIR provides targeting in low light/no light situations. A number of options are available to the war fighter tasked with dropping conventional warheads from altitude or flying close combat air support. The FLIR offers both a wide field view for search and acquisition and a narrow field view for targeting. A daylight CCD is used for targeting in the visible spectrum, while a laser range finder is dedicated to the delivery of precision munitions and target coordinates.
An upgrade to the LANTIRN system, the sniper pod is a single lightweight aerodynamic targeting system that allows aircrews to target tactical-size targets from stand-off positions. It has been integrated into a number of aircraft including the B-52, B-1, F-16 and F-15E. The Litening pod gains it's wide spread adoption as an easy to integrate system for target coordination between ground and air forces. A laser spot tracker and marker with TV quality video is down linked to joint terminal air controllers for rapid target detection/identification and provides high-resolution imagery highly sought after by non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance personel. Further, its easy maintenance eliminates costly intermediate-level support.
General characteristics:
Primary Function: Positive identification, automatic tracking and laser designation
Prime Contractor: Lockheed Martin
Length: 94 inches (239 centimeters)
Diameter: 11.9 inches (30 centimeters)
Weight: 440 pounds (199 kilograms)
Sensors: Mid-wave third generation FLIR, dual mode eye-safe, laser designator, CCD-TV, laser spot tracker and laser marker
Other resources and sources:
AN/ASQ-228 ATFLIR
LANTIRN
Lockheed Martin's Sniper page
Sniper XR simulator
News Sources:
Globalsecurity.org - Sniper XR
Google image sources - Sniper XR
