US-based Lockheed Martin and Saudi Arabia's Advanced Electronics Company (AEC) will establish a Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP) expanded repair capability facility in the kingdom.

The unit is the first such sniper support facility to be established outside the US.

Designed to support the Royal Saudi Air Force’s (RSAF) Sniper ATPs, the facility will provide both affordability benefits and expedited repair times for the RSAF, said a statement.

Lockheed Martin employees will train AEC technicians to perform maintenance on Sniper ATP line replaceable units, and future AEC support will include managing logistics and completing product upgrades for both Sniper ATP and Lantirn pods.

“Providing in-kingdom support with AEC ensures that Sniper ATP capability is readily available for the RSAF,” said John Rogers, F-15SA programme manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “AEC is a strategic partner in the kingdom, and we look forward to finding additional opportunities to work together.”

The facility is part of an existing offset agreement between the Saudi Arabia Economic Offset Committee and Lockheed Martin.

AEC is a Saudi-based company focused on electronics manufacturing, system integration, and repair and maintenance services.

“AEC is proud to be associated with Lockheed Martin,” said Dr Ghassan Al Shibl, president and chief executive officer of AEC. “AEC excellence is achieved through our people. AEC is committed to achieving Saudi Government objectives by building a first-class capability relying substantially on a Saudi workforce. I would like to express my appreciation to Lockheed Martin for its vision in establishing significant local content on the Sniper ATP.”

Sniper ATP provides pilots with high-resolution imagery for precision targeting and non-traditional intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. In use by the US Air Force and 16 countries, Sniper ATP is interoperable across multiple platforms, including US Air Force and multi-national F-15, F-16, F-18, A-10, B-1 and B-52 aircraft.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 113,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. -TradeArabia News Service