Lockheed Martin's Sniper(R) XR(R) Advanced Targeting Pod program was honored for "lasting contributions to the advancement of aerospace" by Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine, which named Sniper XR a 2004 honoree in its 48th Annual Laurels Selection competition.

The magazine reported, "Sniper XR/Pantera has set an international benchmark for next-generation electro-optical targeting pod performance."

The Sniper XR team was nominated for the Laurels 2004 award in the Information Technology/Electronics category. Representing the programs were Kenneth J. Fuhr, Sniper/PANTERA program director; Roger May, program technical director; Peter H. Fox, domestic business development manager; and John P. Schoeppner, Jr., international business development director.

Tom Simmons, vice president of Fire Control at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said, "In October 2004 Aviation Week & Space Technology reported that 'soon the U.S. Air Force's frontline F-16s, F-15Es and A-10s will be equipped with advanced targeting pods that see farther, display sharper, more detailed images -- day or night -- and enable more accurate weapons delivery.' I am proud of our Sniper team's passion for invention that resulted in a unique pod design with rock-steady stabilization that enables precision weapons employment at maximum ranges."

Sniper XR pods are equipping U.S. Air Force F-15E, F-16 Block 50 and Air National Guard F-16 Block 30 aircraft. Follow-on procurements are expected to outfit the F-16 Block 40, F-15E and A-10 fleets. The U.S. Air Force is evaluating Sniper XR to fulfill targeting requirements for the B-1 and B-52 aircraft.

Winner of competitions in Norway, Poland and Oman, the PANTERA pod is currently competing to equip F/A-18 fighters in the Royal Australian Air Force and Canadian Forces.

Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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SOURCE: Lockheed Martin