Defense & Military
Lockheed Martin Demonstrates Sniper Networked Targeting Pod in Flight
Lockheed Martin completed a flight demo of the Sniper Networked Targeting Pod, enabling real-time data sharing between F-16s and ground stations.
This article is based on an official press release from Lockheed Martin.
Lockheed Martin Demonstrates Sniper Networked Targeting Pod in Multi-Aircraft Flight
On January 30, 2026, Lockheed Martin successfully completed the inaugural flight demonstration of its Sniper® Networked Targeting Pod (NTP). Conducted using two F-16 Fighting Falcon Military-Aircraft, the test validated the system’s ability to function as a high-speed network node, transforming the traditional targeting sensor into a “battlespace connector” capable of sharing data across platforms in real time.
According to the company’s announcement, the demonstration proved that the Sniper NTP could facilitate the flow of targeting data between two airborne pods and a ground station simultaneously. This development represents a significant step in the practical application of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) strategy, which seeks to integrate sensors from all military services into a unified network.
The flight test highlighted the integration of a “Hybrid Base Station” (HBS) within the pod, a modular upgrade designed to provide edge computing and advanced datalinks without altering the pod’s external aerodynamics or requiring extensive aircraft modifications.
Technical Capabilities and the Hybrid Base Station
The Sniper NTP builds upon the widely deployed Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP). The “Networked” variant introduces specific technological layers designed to bridge the gap between legacy aircraft and modern stealth platforms. At the core of this upgrade is the Hybrid Base Station.
Lockheed Martin describes the HBS as a modular unit that fits into the existing pod structure. It functions effectively as an airborne server, processing data locally, known as “edge computing”, to provide pilots with immediate, actionable intelligence. This reduces the reliance on ground-based analysis, which can introduce delays in combat scenarios.
5th-to-4th Generation Interoperability
A primary objective of the Sniper NTP is to solve the communication barrier between 4th-generation fighters, such as the F-16, and 5th-generation assets like the F-35 Lightning II. The system supports the Multifunction Advanced Data Link (MADL), the stealthy communication protocol utilized by the F-35.
By acting as a bridge, the Sniper NTP allows a stealthy F-35 to detect a target and pass that data silently to a non-stealthy F-16 equipped with the pod. The F-16 can then engage the target using long-range munitions, allowing the F-35 to maintain its stealth profile. This capability addresses a longstanding interoperability gap where different generations of aircraft historically struggled to share data without compromising stealth or utilizing cumbersome gateways.
Mesh Networking and Ground Connectivity
The demonstration also showcased the pod’s use of Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET) radios. These radios create a resilient “mesh” network that can automatically reroute data through different nodes, whether other aircraft or ground units, if a connection is lost. Furthermore, the system connects with ground forces using standard tactical terminals, compatible with legacy ROVER systems and the Tactical Assault Kit (TAK), enabling Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) to view pilot feeds and digitally designate targets.
Strategic Context: Enabling JADC2
The successful flight demonstration on January 30 aligns with broader military efforts to shorten the “kill chain”, the time it takes to identify and engage a target, from minutes to seconds. In the press release, Lockheed Martin emphasized the necessity of integrated functions in modern warfare.
“Precision intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) are no longer sequential activities, but integrated functions executed in parallel, where split-second decisions depend on trusted data moving instantly and reliably between platforms.”
Lockheed Martin Press Release
By embedding these networking capabilities directly onto the aircraft’s hardpoint via the targeting pod, the Sniper NTP offers a solution that avoids expensive avionics overhauls for the jet itself. This approach allows legacy fleets to remain relevant in a data-centric battlespace.
AirPro News Analysis
The Market for Networked Sensors
While Lockheed Martin’s demonstration marks a significant milestone, the market for advanced targeting pods remains highly competitive. The Sniper NTP competes directly with systems like Northrop Grumman’s LITENING pod, which is widely fielded by the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force, and emphasizes open-architecture datalinks. Similarly, the Legion Pod (also by Lockheed Martin) and Rafael’s Litening 5 offer alternative capabilities, suchs as Infrared Search and Track (IRST) and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) integration.
Export and Modernization Potential
From our perspective, the strategic value of the Sniper NTP lies heavily in the global export market. With thousands of F-16s currently in service worldwide, many operated by allied nations that are also acquiring F-35s, the ability to “bridge” these fleets without buying new airframes is a compelling value proposition. This technology effectively extends the operational life of 4th-generation fighters, allowing them to function as “flying servers” and weapons trucks in support of more advanced, expensive stealth assets.
Following this demonstration, industry observers expect the system to be tested in major joint exercises, such as Valiant Shield or Northern Edge, where JADC2 capabilities are frequently rigorously evaluated in simulated Indo-Pacific theater scenarios.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between the Sniper ATP and the Sniper NTP?
- The Sniper NTP (Networked Targeting Pod) includes a “Hybrid Base Station” that adds edge computing, 5th-generation datalinks (MADL), and mesh networking capabilities to the standard targeting and surveillance functions of the original Sniper ATP.
- Which aircraft were used in the demonstration?
- The demonstration on January 30, 2026, utilized two F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.
- Does the Sniper NTP require changes to the aircraft’s body?
- No. The upgrades are contained within the pod itself, which mounts to existing hardpoints. This avoids the need for major structural or avionics modifications to the host aircraft.
- What is the strategic purpose of this technology?
- It is designed to support Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) by allowing different types of aircraft (4th and 5th generation) and ground forces to share targeting data instantly, shortening the time required to make combat decisions.
Sources
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
Defense & Military
Gripen F Completes Inaugural Flight in Linköping Sweden
Saab and the Brazilian Air Force completed the first flight of the Gripen F two-seat fighter on August 28, 2026.
Saab and the Brazilian Air Force have successfully completed the inaugural flight of the Gripen F, the two-seat variant of the Gripen E fighter, initiating the airborne test campaign for the jointly developed aircraft.
The aircraft took off from Saab’s airfield in Linköping, Sweden, on August 28, 2026. In a press release issued today, the manufacturer confirmed the milestone advances a comprehensive technology transfer program designed to deliver both pilot training and full operational combat capabilities.
Inaugural flight and test campaign
The flight commenced at 09:40 local time and lasted 40 minutes. Saab Chief Test Pilot Jakob Högberg and Brazilian Air Force Test Pilot Lieutenant Colonel Aviator Abdon de Rezende Vasconcelos operated the aircraft.
Lars Tossman, Head of Business Area Aeronautics at Saab, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the milestone.
“This first flight represents an important step forward for both Saab and the Brazilian Air Force. Seeing Gripen F take to the skies is particularly significant for all the Swedish and Brazilian teams whose years of engineering work have helped turn this aircraft into a reality. It is designed to accelerate pilot training while and enhancing operational performance in advanced combat missions,” Tossman said.
The Gripen F test program will now transition into a progressive envelope expansion phase. Saab stated that upcoming flights will clear performance limits, including speed, altitude, G-load, and angle of attack, while evaluating the tactical systems of the independent rear cockpit.
Design specifications and Brazilian procurement
The Gripen F incorporates specific design modifications to accommodate a second crew member. According to Air Data News, the two-seat variant measures 15.9 meters in length, compared to the 15.2-meter single-seat Gripen E, and has a maximum takeoff weight of 16,500 kilograms. To make room for the rear cockpit, engineers omitted the internal 27 mm Mauser BK27 cannon found on the single-seat model. Despite this change, the aircraft retains full operational combat capability and utilizes the same General Electric F414G engine.
The development of the Gripen F is heavily tied to Brazilian defense procurement. Aviation Week reports that the Brazilian Air Force ordered eight Gripen F aircraft as part of a broader 36-aircraft contract signed in 2014. Saab officially presented the first Gripen F during a rollout ceremony in Linköping on June 2, 2026. The manufacturer noted that more than 350 Brazilian engineers, technicians, and pilots have participated in training and development activities for the program.
AirPro News analysis
We view the successful first flight of the Gripen F as a critical validation of the technology transfer agreement between Saab and its Brazilian partners, including Embraer. The integration of a fully combat-capable rear cockpit ensures the Brazilian Air Force can conduct advanced training while maintaining frontline fleet readiness. Delivering the two-seat variant on schedule strengthens Saab’s position in future export campaigns where dual-role trainer and combat aircraft are required.
Sources: Saab
Photo Credit: Saab
Defense & Military
Neura Defense Systems Rebrands as Volantyx Aerospace
Neura Defense Systems rebrands as Volantyx Aerospace to develop counter-UAS tech targeting RF-silent drone swarms.
Saint Petersburg, Florida-based Neura Defense Systems, Inc. announced on August 26, 2026, that it has rebranded as Volantyx Aerospace, Inc. to reflect its expansion from a single-product defense developer into a broader aerospace technology platform.
In a press release issued Wednesday, the company stated the original Neura Defense Systems name will be retained for its defense division and current operating business. The corporate restructuring aligns with the company’s focus on developing a distributed edge-intelligence architecture designed to counter autonomous, radio-frequency-silent drone swarms.
Addressing the RF-silent swarm-drone gap
Volantyx Aerospace is targeting a specific vulnerability in current counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) defense networks. Traditional detection and mitigation rely heavily on radio frequency (RF) signals, which are ineffective against pre-programmed or autonomous aircraft that do not emit such signals.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer Sam Talari explained the limitations of legacy systems in the company’s announcement, noting that the new architecture is built on the assumption that any single sensor can be degraded or absent.
An RF sensor cannot detect a signal that is not there, and a jammer cannot sever a control link that does not exist. We start from the aircraft’s physical signature instead — radar return, sound, heat, visual — and combine those into one track and one decision picture for the operator.
The company has filed 13 United States provisional patent applications covering multi-modal sensor fusion, distributed networking, cognitive command, and the detection of non-emitting aircraft. The resulting intelligence layer is designed to make decisions at the edge without cloud dependency while preserving a record of system observations.
Development timeline and market positioning
The rebranding occurs as federal investment in counter-UAS technologies accelerates. Volantyx Aerospace remains in the development stage, with its core capabilities currently undergoing hardware integration and field evaluation following initial tests in a controlled environment.
The company clarified in its release that it does not yet claim a fielded deployment, operational performance metrics, or a contract award. Volantyx Aerospace plans to begin manufacturing or supplying effectors in early 2027. The corporate name change is a structural adjustment for the Delaware corporation and does not alter existing agreements, obligations, or ownership.
AirPro News analysis
The transition from Neura Defense Systems to Volantyx Aerospace signals a strategic pivot to capture dual-use commercial and defense markets. As autonomous UAS capabilities proliferate, the reliance on RF jamming and detection is becoming a recognized vulnerability in airspace security. By focusing on multi-modal physical signatures, we view Volantyx’s approach as a necessary evolution in counter-UAS architecture. The company’s explicit acknowledgment that it lacks fielded deployments or contract awards underscores the significant gap between conceptual architecture and operational validation. The early 2027 target for effector manufacturing will be a critical milestone to monitor as the company attempts to transition from a development-stage startup to an active aerospace supplier.
Photo Credit: Neura Defense Systems, Inc.
Defense & Military
Lockheed Martin Offers Peru $1.8B F-16 Block 70 Offset Package
Lockheed Martin proposes a $1.8B industrial package for Peru’s F-16 Block 70 program, including UAS assembly and MRO expansion.
Lockheed Martin has outlined a $1.8 billion industrial and social collaboration package for Peru, designed to integrate local firms into the global aerospace supply chain as part of the country’s F-16 Block 70 procurement program.
Announced in a press release on August 26, 2026, the offset proposal follows the Peruvian government’s April 2026 decision to acquire an initial batch of 12 F-16 Block 70 aircraft. The comprehensive package aims to position Peru as a regional hub for advanced unmanned systems and aerospace services.
Expanding Peru’s aerospace industrial base
The proposed industrial agreement focuses heavily on technology transfer and domestic manufacturing. Key components include the domestic assembly of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) tailored for the Latin American market, the establishment of joint research hubs, and the creation of a UAS Technical Institute. The package also outlines plans to expand Peru’s high-tech maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) footprint.
“As we collaborate with the local industry, we aim to deliver tangible, high-value opportunities that build a skilled workforce, enable knowledge transfer and create lasting economic impact on both sides of the partnership,” said Tara Lause, Vice President of Business Development for the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin.
Lause added that the procurement creates enduring alliances and industrial collaboration opportunities with the United States and other partner nations.
Fleet modernization and electronic warfare capabilities
Peru is currently working to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29s and French Mirage 2000s. The F-16 Block 70 was selected over competing bids from Saab and Dassault. To equip the new fleet, the government of Peru selected L3Harris Technologies to provide its AN/ALQ-254(V)1 Viper Shield all-digital electronic warfare suite, a decision announced on August 17, 2026. The Viper Shield system provides advanced radar warning and jamming capabilities.
Lockheed Martin noted that the F-16 is currently operated by 29 countries, with a global fleet of 2,800 aircraft. Mike Shoemaker, Vice President of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, stated that the selection highlights the aircraft’s operational performance and ability to meet pressing defense requirements.
AirPro News analysis
The announcement of a $1.8 billion industrial offset package is a strategic move by Lockheed Martin to solidify the F-16 Block 70 sale amid a complex political environment in Lima. While the Peruvian government selected the aircraft in April 2026, regional defense reporting indicates that the procurement process has encountered delays linked to ministerial resignations and defense budget debates. By offering substantial domestic manufacturing opportunities, including UAS assembly and MRO expansion, Lockheed Martin is providing Peruvian leadership with a strong economic justification to finalize the state-to-state contract. We view this comprehensive technology transfer as a critical lever in moving the procurement from selection to a finalized, funded agreement.
Sources: Lockheed Martin
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
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