Guys,
7 Litening III pods were purchased under a UOR for Op TELIC and not rented as stated earlier. The gentleman saying he would rather have Sniper over L3 must consider the following:
1. Whilst Sniper offers a better max magnifiaction, it doesn't allow the operator the same zoom-out facility. CAS, etc ,sometimes requires that big picture view. In fact, the ANG were offered both for their block-50 CGs, and this was the reason they opted for Litening AT (the same sensor as L3).
2. Whilst the Rover 3 datalink has been fully integrated on the Litening AT, it wasn't integrated on Sniper or L3, until this UOR. There was, however, considerably less risk on the L3.
3. The L3 has an outstanding Recce function (unlike the Sniper), which will offer similar NIRRS to DJRP. Now consider getting rid of the DJRP in place of the L3, and you then have decent flexibility - Massive benifits over Sniper.
4. Sniper offers some massive benifits for the Harrier which are not relevant to the GR4.