The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) has selected Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) for its Rafale aircraft. Rafale will be the 10th platform to fly with the Lockheed Martin pod.
The Qatar Emiri Air Force (QEAF) has selected Lockheed Martin's Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) for its Rafale combat aircraft.
Under this contract, announced during the Eurosatory exhibition, Lockheed Martin will provide the QEAF with pods, spares and deployment support for the Rafale, which will be the 10th platform to fly with Sniper ATP.
Integration efforts are ongoing, with flight tests currently in progress. Pod deliveries to the QEAF are scheduled to begin in 2019.
Qatar — one of three export customers for the French combat aircraft, alongside Egypt (24 aircraft) and India (36) — firmed up options for a further 12 Rafales in March, following an initial batch of 24 aircraft ordered in May 2015.
Sniper ATP has been integrated across multiple platforms, including U.S. Air Force and multinational F-2, F-15, F-16, F-18, A-10, B-1, B-52, Harrier and Typhoon aircraft.