Every F-35 comes with an integrated targeting pod called an Electro Optical Targeting System (EOTS). It is built by the same branch of LM that build SNIPER XR.
Does it require it? Depends on what you want to do in the mission but, generally, it is accepted that modern fighter aircraft require a targeting pod for guiding precision, laser-guided weapons; overwatch and other ISR tasks; VID of threat etc
Last edited by ICBM; 10th Jun 2012 at 16:35.