ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 21 -- The US Air Force has picked Lockheed Martin's Sniper XR (eXtended Range) system for its Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP). The 7-year contract with potential value in excess of $843 million marks the first deployment of 3rd generation targeting pods. The device incorporates a high-resolution, mid-wave 3rd generation FLIR, a dual-mode laser and a CCD-TV along with a laser spot tracker and a laser marker.
   The contract provides for up to 522 pods and associated equipment, spares, and support of the F-16 for both the Air Force and the Air National Guard. Sniper XR pods will initially equip the Air Force's F-16CJ Block 50 aircraft and the Air National Guard's F-16 Block 30 aircraft. Follow-on acquisitions are destined for the F-16 Block 40 and F-15E fleets, as well as many interested international customers, bringing product potential to several billion dollars. The scheduled contract delivery date is January 2003.