The Sniper® Networked Targeting Pod has long been a trusted and combat-proven capability, supporting the defense of America and its allies in numerous operations around the world. Within the last year alone, Sniper has effectively countered hundreds of UAS and ballistic missiles, demonstrating its capabilities in a variety of operational environments. This proven track record is a testament to Sniper's reliability and effectiveness in the face of emerging threats.

But what makes Sniper truly exceptional is its ability to adapt and evolve, including the latest advancements in 5G.MIL® Unified Network Solutions which integrate military connectivity capabilities (.MIL) and enhanced 5G technology to enable persistent and secure information flow. In a recent demonstration in Orlando, Florida, Sniper highlighted the ability to link together platforms and systems into a cross-domain, interconnected and interoperable network in real-time to provide a complete picture of the battlefield.

According to Clay Berardi, International Business Development, "We're really manifesting the vision of JADC2 where you have an effector and a sensor that are in separate locations, and [in this case] you can get the data to the aircraft and permission to launch, and then use in-flight targeting to guide that weapon to its target." Sniper's integration capabilities are further enhanced by the future integration of an advanced datalink that allows direct connectivity from F-35s to 4th gen aircraft.

This demonstration showcased the power of Sniper in a near-peer, air support mission scenario, where special operations teams utilized the pod's advanced targeting capabilities to engage high-value, dynamic targets in instantaneously. Leveraging 5G.MIL solutions, Sniper transmitted critical targeting data in real-time, enabling more informed, split-second decisions. The demo also highlighted the potential of AI and machine learning in enhancing Sniper's capabilities, with aided target detection and recognition algorithms analyzing data from various sensors and systems.

Additionally, Sniper's onboard AI applications are being combined with off-board AI applications from external assets and then fused together inside the pod to minimize pilot workload and enhance overall system performance. This successful demonstration built on a 2023 test, where a HIMARS system in Texas successfully directed a simulated missile strike using real-world inputs from the Sniper in Florida, proving beyond-line-of-sight targeting and secure communications.

"The future of warfare is being rewritten, and Sniper is at the forefront of this revolution," says Ashlie McGlone, Director, Sniper. "The implications are significant, and we're excited to see the impact that Sniper will have on the battlefield."

In 2025, Sniper is set to demonstrate multi-aircraft federated targeting, integrating full-motion video and targeting data into a networked fires cell for dynamic engagements. This revolutionary capability will enable multiple aircraft to share information and coordinate their actions in real-time, resulting in a more effective and efficient use of military resources. With its advanced technology and proven performance, Lockheed Martin's Sniper is revolutionizing the future of warfare, delivering unmatched capabilities that enable warfighters to stay ahead of emerging threats.