Equipo de apoyo

Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33)

Also known as
  • AN/AAQ-33
  • Sniper ATP
  • Sniper pod

El Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33) es el pod electroóptico de designación de blancos de fabricación estadounidense de Lockheed Martin para aviones de caza y bombarderos. Fuentes oficiales describen imágenes EO/IR de alta definición, designación láser, coordenadas aptas para empleo de armas y apoyo de video bidireccional, con documentación directa de uso en combate en Afganistán y Libia.

Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33), Pod electroóptico de designación de blancos montado externamente, Equipo de apoyo
Image source: Commons Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
Estados Unidos
Type
Pod electroóptico de designación de blancos montado externamente
Service note
2001-presente
Designer
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
Designed
2001
Produced
2001-presente
Number built
Entrega número 1.000 anunciada en 2015
Developed from
LANTIRN

Specifications

Función
Pod electroóptico de designación de blancos aire-aire y aire-superficie
Sensores
Infrarrojo de barrido frontal de alta definición, CCD-TV, designador láser, seguidor de punto láser y marcador láser
Enlace de datos
Enlace de datos bidireccional de video de movimiento completo con metadatos
Coordenadas
Coordenadas de calidad de armamento serie J para decisiones rápidas sobre blancos
Datos físicos
202 kg; 30,5 cm de diámetro; 252 cm de longitud
Variants

Las designaciones Sniper marcan la familia básica Advanced Targeting Pod y configuraciones posteriores con sensores mejorados, más que plataformas de lanzamiento separadas.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Sniper XRConfiguración ATP de alcance extendido

Lockheed Martin identificó al Sniper XR como la configuración Advanced Targeting Pod seleccionada por la U.S. Air Force en la competición ATP de 2001.

Sources: USAF Selects Lockheed Martin for $843 Million Advanced Targeting POD Contract

Sniper ATP-SEConfiguración con sensores mejorados

Lockheed Martin describió ATP-SE como una configuración mejorada del Sniper ATP con mejor capacidad ISR no tradicional, identificación de combate, capacidad aire-aire y marítima, y funciones de enlace de datos bidireccional.

Sources: U.S. Air Force Declares Initial Operational Capability for Lockheed Martin's Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod - Sensor Enhancement

Aeronaves portadoras

Fuentes oficiales de la Air Force y de Lockheed Martin documentan el transporte del Sniper en aviones de caza y bombarderos estadounidenses, con evidencia adicional de integración promocional internacional en F/A-18 y F-21.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
B-1B Lancer, Long-range, multi-role supersonic bomber, Aircraft & UAVsB-1B LancerPlataforma de bombardero

La ficha informativa de la Air Force dice que el Sniper se desplegó en el B-1 en 2008, e informes de la Air Force documentan el empleo en combate de un Sniper ATP por un B-1B en Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sources: Sniper Pod, Sniper ATP-equipped B-1B has combat first

F-15E Strike Eagle, Dual-role strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF-15E Strike EagleCaza de ataque

La ficha informativa de la Air Force dice que el Sniper se desplegó por primera vez en el extranjero en aviones F-15E en enero de 2005 y lista al F-15E entre las plataformas Sniper probadas en combate.

Sources: Sniper Pod

F-16 Fighting Falcon, Multirole fighter aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsF-16 Fighting FalconCaza polivalente

La ficha informativa de la Air Force dice que el Sniper se desplegó en aviones F-16 en 2006 y está probado en combate en bloques del F-16.

Sources: Sniper Pod

A-10 Thunderbolt II, Close air support attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsA-10 Thunderbolt IIAeronave de apoyo aéreo cercano

La ficha informativa de la Air Force dice que el Sniper se desplegó en el A-10C en 2010 y lista al A-10C entre las plataformas Sniper probadas en combate.

Sources: Sniper Pod

B-52 Stratofortress, Long-range heavy bomber, Aircraft & UAVsB-52 StratofortressBombardero pesado

Lockheed Martin dijo que el Sniper ATP alcanzó estado de vuelo operativo en el B-52 y describió el pod como interoperable entre aeronaves B-52, B-1, A-10, F-15, F-16 y F/A-18.

Sources: Sniper ATP B-52 Operational Flight Status

F/A-18 Hornet (Tactical), Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF/A-18 Hornet (Tactical)Caza polivalente

Lockheed Martin identificó a los CF-18 Hornet canadienses y a los F/A-18C/D de Kuwait entre los operadores y vías de integración del Sniper ATP en la familia F/A-18.

Sources: Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod Successfully Integrates with Kuwait F-18 Super Hornet

F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Carrier-capable multirole strike fighter, Aircraft & UAVsF/A-18E/F Super HornetCaza polivalente embarcado

Lockheed Martin y la U.S. Navy completaron la primera integración en prueba de vuelo del Sniper ATP en el F/A-18E/F Super Hornet para Kuwait.

Sources: Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod Successfully Integrates with Kuwait F-18 Super Hornet

Lockheed Martin F-21, Multirole fighter aircraft proposal, Aircraft & UAVsLockheed Martin F-21Configuración de caza promocional

Popular Mechanics informó que el video promocional del F-21 de Lockheed Martin mostraba la aeronave portando un pod electroóptico de designación de blancos Sniper; esto es evidencia de transporte promocional, no de servicio desplegado.

Sources: Why There's a New American Fighter Called the F-21

Integración de plataformas

La ficha informativa de la Air Force describe al Sniper como plug-and-play en aeronaves compatibles, mientras que el comunicado ATP-SE de Lockheed Martin lista los A-10C, B-1, F-15E y bloques del F-16 como plataformas de la configuración mejorada en 2014.

Sources: Sniper Pod, U.S. Air Force Declares Initial Operational Capability for Lockheed Martin's Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod - Sensor Enhancement

Timeline

Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33) Key Events

  1. La USAF selecciona Sniper XR en la competición ATP

    Lockheed Martin anunció que la U.S. Air Force eligió al Sniper XR como ganador de la competición Advanced Targeting Pod, lo que inició la principal serie de producción del pod.

    Sources: USAF Selects Lockheed Martin for $843 Million Advanced Targeting POD Contract

  2. Estado de vuelo operativo en el B-52

    Lockheed Martin dijo que el Sniper ATP había alcanzado estado de vuelo operativo en el bombardero B-52 de la U.S. Air Force, extendiendo el pod a las operaciones de bombarderos.

    Sources: Sniper ATP B-52 Operational Flight Status

  3. Capacidad operativa inicial del ATP-SE

    Lockheed Martin anunció que la U.S. Air Force había declarado la capacidad operativa inicial del Sniper ATP-SE y desplegado la configuración mejorada para apoyar operaciones de combate.

    Sources: U.S. Air Force Declares Initial Operational Capability for Lockheed Martin's Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod - Sensor Enhancement

  4. Entrega número 1.000

    Lockheed Martin marcó la entrega del Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod número 1.000 en sus instalaciones de Orlando.

    Sources: Lockheed Martin Delivers 1,000th Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod

Media

Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33) Videos

Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33) Images

Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33), Pod electroóptico de designación de blancos montado externamente, Equipo de apoyo - view 1
Source: Commons F-15E with Sniper pod
Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33), Pod electroóptico de designación de blancos montado externamente, Equipo de apoyo - view 2
Source: Commons A B-1B Lancer with a Sniper pod
Related Weapon Systems
F-35 Electro Optical Targeting System (EOTS), Internally mounted electro-optical targeting sensor subsystem, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentF-35 Electro Optical Targeting System (EOTS)Internally mounted electro-optical targeting sensor subsystemThe F-35 Electro Optical Targeting System (EOTS) is the AN/AAQ-40 sensor installation built into the F-35 Lightning II for precision air-to-air and air-to-surface targeting. Lockheed Martin describes it as a low-observable, internally mounted system that combines forward-looking infrared and infrared-search-and-track functions, and Janes reported F-35I EOTS footage from an Israeli cruise-missile interception during the 2023 Israel-Hamas War.
LITENING Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-28), Electro-optical targeting pod, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentLITENING Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-28)Electro-optical targeting podThe LITENING Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-28) is a Rafael-designed, Northrop Grumman-supported electro-optical/infrared targeting pod family for precision targeting, surveillance, reconnaissance, and laser-guided weapon support. Manufacturer material describes a modular multispectral pod integrated across many aircraft types, while RAND's Libya air-war study documents LITENING pods supporting NATO strike and imagery workflows in the 2011 First Libyan Civil War.
EO/IR Pod, Electro-optical/infrared airborne sensor pod, Support EquipmentSupport EquipmentEO/IR PodElectro-optical/infrared airborne sensor podEO/IR Pod is a support-equipment entry for airborne electro-optical and infrared sensor pods used to find, track, and designate targets from aircraft and UAVs. The page centers on source-backed examples: Canadian WESCAM sensors assessed on Turkish UAVs in Nagorno-Karabakh, Libya, and Syria; Aero's L-39 Skyfox mission fit showing an EO/IR pod; and the U.S. Coast Guard HC-130J's nose-mounted EO/IR pod. Because carrier publications often name the function rather than a specific model, the relationship notes separate identified WESCAM MX-series evidence from generic EO/IR-pod references.
ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System, Tactical jamming pod system, Electronic WarfareElectronic WarfareALQ-99 Tactical Jamming SystemTactical jamming pod systemThe ALQ-99 Tactical Jamming System is a U.S. external-carriage airborne electronic attack pod family used to jam radar and communications targets for suppression of enemy air defenses. NAVAIR says it entered service in 1971, served on the EA-6B Prowler before transitioning to the EA-18G Growler in 2010, and remains in use alongside Next Generation Jammer pods, including documented VAQ-133 carriage during 2026 Iran War strike operations.
AN/ALQ-87 electronic countermeasures pod, Electronic countermeasures pod, Electronic WarfareElectronic WarfareAN/ALQ-87 electronic countermeasures podElectronic countermeasures podThe AN/ALQ-87 was a General Electric electronic countermeasures pod, originally designated QRC-160-8, that gave 1955 Vietnam War strike aircraft a podded radar-jamming option against radar-guided air defenses. U.S. Air Force history ties the pod to late-1967 combat introduction, broad 1968 strike-aircraft use, and F-111A Linebacker operations, while the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force displays an F-4C 1967 loadout with one ALQ-87 on the right inboard pylon.
EO/IR with Laser Pointer, Electro-optical/infrared sensor payload with laser pointer, Aircraft & UAVsAircraft & UAVsEO/IR with Laser PointerElectro-optical/infrared sensor payload with laser pointerEO/IR with Laser Pointer is Aeronautics' electro-optical and infrared sensor payload listing for the Orbiter 2 ISR mini-UAS, not a standalone aircraft or munition. Official product material places the payload beside ELINT, COMINT, EW, ATR, VMD, onboard tracker, and communication-jammer options, while independent upgrade coverage describes the Orbiter 2 payload set as including an electro-optical payload with a laser pointer.

Sources

Sniper Advanced Targeting PodPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports manufacturer background, product identity, and the pod's passive detection, high-definition EO/IR imaging, laser designation, and two-way video role. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sniper PodPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports the pod's long-range target detection and identification mission, continuous stabilized surveillance role, specifications, and platform deployment context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sniper ATP-equipped B-1B has combat firstPublisher: U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports direct 2001 War in Afghanistan use: a Sniper ATP-equipped B-1B targeted enemy ground forces and dropped a GBU-38 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sniper ATP Fast FactsPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the two-way full-motion video datalink, metadata, Global Scope sensor software suite, and general pod specifications. | Accessed: 2026-07-04USAF Selects Lockheed Martin for $843 Million Advanced Targeting POD ContractPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the 2001 Advanced Targeting Pod competition result, the initial production contract, and the F-16/F-15E procurement context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Air Force Declares Initial Operational Capability for Lockheed Martin's Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod - Sensor EnhancementPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Sniper ATP-SE initial operational capability, enhanced configuration capabilities, and the A-10C, B-1, F-15E, and F-16 ATP-SE platform context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sniper ATP B-52 Operational Flight StatusPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports the B-52 operational flight-status announcement and the six-platform U.S. Air Force integration statement. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod Successfully Integrates with Kuwait F-18 Super HornetPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports F/A-18E/F Super Hornet integration for Kuwait and the broader F/A-18 family operator context including Kuwait F/A-18C/D and Canadian CF-18 aircraft. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Lockheed Martin Delivers 1,000th Sniper Advanced Targeting PodPublisher: PR Newswire | Note: Supports the 1,000th delivery announcement and production-scale context. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Commons Sniper Advanced Targeting PodPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the primary pod image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Commons F-15E with Sniper podPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the F-15E carriage image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Commons A B-1B Lancer with a Sniper podPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the B-1B carriage image. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Category:Sniper Advanced Targeting PodPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports the pod's listed mass, diameter, length, manufacturer, operator list, and replacement of LANTIRN. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Why There's a New American Fighter Called the F-21Publisher: Popular Mechanics | Note: Supports the F-21 promotional-video carriage of a Sniper electro-optical targeting pod. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Fighter pilot goes above, beyond call of dutyPublisher: Luke Air Force Base / U.S. Air Force | Note: Supports direct 2011 First Libyan Civil War use: a U.S. F-16 pilot used the Sniper pod to generate bomb coordinates against a Gaddafi-regime SA-6 radar during Operation Unified Protector. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Air Wing: RCAF Commanders' Perspectives During the 2011 Libyan ConflictPublisher: Government of Canada / Department of National Defence | Note: Supports 2011 Libya context and Canadian CF-188 use of Sniper Advanced Targeting Pods during Operation Mobile. | Accessed: 2026-07-04