NEWTOWN, Conn. - Outside of its home market of China, the LIEOE WMD-7 day/night targeting pod has a stable yet ultimately limited customer in Pakistan. If wider production of the system is desired, then further international sales will need to be achieved.
The WMD-7 is a platform agnostic electro-optical targeting pod for air-to-ground use. Integration with a wide set of platforms is provided through a MIL-STD-1760 interface, so the only necessary requirements to equip the pod are an appropriate mount point, a MIL-STD-1760 data port, and a mission computer capable of deciphering the sensors' signals. Detection is provided by several methods, with IR and visible spectrum sensors contained within the pod housing. Additional functionality provided by an integrated laser designator and rangefinder.
Over the past year, international sales prospects for the WMD-7 have increased alongside increasing worldwide interest in the system's PAC/Chengdu JF-17/FC-1 fighter jet platform. Some of the countries being targeted for sales of the jet and, in turn, the WMD-7 EO pod include Argentina, Bulgaria, Myanmar/Burma, Nigeria, and Qatar.
In the Chinese domestic market, the WMD-7 has a more limited future than abroad. China's recent fighter/bomber aircraft development has focused on stealthy and sleek designs. For this new wave of aircraft, a more integrated, conformal targeting set is usually desired in order to decrease the platform's detectability and increase aerodynamic efficiency. This movement has left the WMD-7 adrift as the Chinese military focuses on the next generation technology.
As the next 10 years progress, Chinese procurement is expected to tail off. The few Chinese assets that currently utilize the WMD-7 E/O pod will be phased out in favor of next-generation designs. Meanwhile, Pakistan-destined units are expected to be produced on an average basis of 12 units per year through 2021.
For the WMD-7 targeting pod to remain in production, it is crucial that PAC make additional international sales of the JF-17 fighter. If this does not happen, then the WMD-7 line is likely to stop by the mid-2020s
For further information on the LIEOE WMD-7 targeting pod and other electro-optical systems, Forecast International provides an Electro Optical Forecast book as well as coverage of the airborne electro-optical market in The Market for Airborne Electro-Optical Systems 10-year analysis. Coverage of the WMD-7 and other airborne EO devices is also provided in Forecast International's Airborne Electronics Forecast book.
To obtain more information about these market intelligence tools as well as others covering the aerospace and defense industry, please contact a Forecast International sales representative.
