Support Equipment

Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33)

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

The Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33) is Lockheed Martin's U.S.-made electro-optical targeting pod for fighter and bomber aircraft. Official sources describe high-definition EO/IR imaging, laser designation, weapons-quality coordinates, and two-way video support, with direct combat-use documentation in Afghanistan and Libya.

Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33), Externally mounted electro-optical targeting pod, Support Equipment
Image source: Commons Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Externally mounted electro-optical targeting pod
Service note
2001-present
Designer
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control
Designed
2001
Produced
2001-present
Number built
1,000th delivery announced in 2015
Developed from
LANTIRN

Specifications

Role
Air-to-air and air-to-surface electro-optical targeting pod
Sensors
High-definition forward-looking infrared, CCD-TV, laser designator, laser spot tracker, and laser marker
Datalink
Two-way full-motion video datalink with metadata
Coordinates
J-series weapons-quality coordinates for rapid target decisions
Physical data
202 kg; 30.5 cm diameter; 252 cm length
Variants

Sniper designations mark the baseline Advanced Targeting Pod family and later sensor-enhanced configurations rather than separate launch platforms.

VariantConfigurationDesignation notes
Sniper XRExtended-range ATP configuration

Lockheed Martin identified Sniper XR as the Advanced Targeting Pod configuration selected by the U.S. Air Force in the 2001 ATP competition.

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

Sniper ATP-SESensor-enhanced configuration

Lockheed Martin described ATP-SE as an enhanced Sniper ATP configuration with improved non-traditional ISR, combat identification, air-to-air and maritime capability, and two-way datalink features.

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

Carrier Aircraft

Official Air Force and Lockheed Martin sources document Sniper carriage across U.S. fighter and bomber aircraft, with additional international F/A-18 and F-21 promotional integration evidence.

CarrierCarrier typeCarriage evidence
B-1B Lancer, Long-range, multi-role supersonic bomber, Aircraft & UAVsB-1B LancerBomber platform

The Air Force fact sheet says Sniper deployed on the B-1 in 2008, and Air Force reporting documents B-1B combat employment of a Sniper ATP in 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 EagleStrike fighter

The Air Force fact sheet says Sniper first deployed overseas on F-15E aircraft in January 2005 and lists the F-15E among combat-proven Sniper platforms.

Sources: Sniper Pod

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

The Air Force fact sheet says Sniper deployed on F-16 aircraft in 2006 and is combat proven on F-16 blocks.

Sources: Sniper Pod

A-10 Thunderbolt II, Close air support attack aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsA-10 Thunderbolt IIClose air support aircraft

The Air Force fact sheet says Sniper deployed on the A-10C in 2010 and lists the A-10C among combat-proven Sniper platforms.

Sources: Sniper Pod

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

Lockheed Martin said Sniper ATP achieved operational flight status on the B-52 and described the pod as interoperable across B-52, B-1, A-10, F-15, F-16, and F/A-18 aircraft.

Sources: Sniper ATP B-52 Operational Flight Status

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

Lockheed Martin identified Canadian CF-18 Hornets and Kuwait F/A-18C/D aircraft among Sniper ATP F/A-18 operators and integration paths.

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 HornetCarrier-based multirole fighter

Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Navy completed first flight-test integration of Sniper ATP on the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet for 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-21Promotional fighter configuration

Popular Mechanics reported that Lockheed Martin's F-21 promotional video showed the aircraft carrying a Sniper electro-optical targeting pod; this is promotional carriage evidence, not fielded service.

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

Platform integration

The Air Force fact sheet describes Sniper as plug-and-play across supported aircraft, while Lockheed Martin's ATP-SE release lists A-10C, B-1, F-15E, and F-16 blocks as 2014 enhanced-configuration platforms.

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. USAF selects Sniper XR in the ATP competition

    Lockheed Martin announced that the U.S. Air Force chose Sniper XR as the winner of the Advanced Targeting Pod competition, beginning the pod's major production run.

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

  2. B-52 operational flight status

    Lockheed Martin said Sniper ATP had achieved operational flight status on the U.S. Air Force B-52 bomber, extending the pod across bomber operations.

    Sources: Sniper ATP B-52 Operational Flight Status

  3. ATP-SE initial operational capability

    Lockheed Martin announced that the U.S. Air Force had declared initial operational capability for Sniper ATP-SE and deployed the enhanced configuration to support combat operations.

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

  4. 1,000th delivery

    Lockheed Martin marked delivery of the 1,000th Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod at its Orlando facility.

    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), Externally mounted electro-optical targeting pod, Support Equipment - view 1
Source: Commons F-15E with Sniper pod
Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (AN/AAQ-33), Externally mounted electro-optical targeting pod, Support Equipment - 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