In a bid to refine precision strike capabilities and enhance its understanding of adversary air defense systems, U.S. defense giant Lockheed Martin has developed a high-fidelity replica of Russia’s Pantsir-S1 short-range air defense (SHORAD) system. Mounted on a Peterbilt 320 truck—a chassis typically used for commercial waste collection—the mock-up is designed to serve as a realistic targeting test platform for the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod (ATP), currently integrated into F-16 Fighting Falcons and F/A-18 Hornets.
With an increasing emphasis on electronic warfare (EW) and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), the U.S. Air Force (USAF) and U.S. Navy (USN) have ramped up efforts to simulate advanced near-peer threats.
Peter Pantsir
Unofficially dubbed “Peter Pantsir,” the replica has been crafted with remarkable accuracy to simulate Russia’s integrated air defense network (IADS) in a controlled training environment. This allows U.S. pilots to hone their target acquisition and engagement tactics, replicating real-world battlefield conditions.
The trials involving this system were reportedly conducted at a classified location, with F-16 and F/A-18 fighter jets performing flyovers while Lockheed Martin gathered critical performance data on the Sniper ATP’s effectiveness under varying operational scenarios—ranging from daylight and nocturnal missions to adverse weather conditions.
The integration of such realistic enemy systems is crucial for developing autonomous targeting algorithms, refining electronic countermeasures (ECM), and ensuring that U.S. combat pilots can effectively identify, track, and neutralize high-priority threats without direct engagement with live enemy assets.
Beyond its application in fighter jet training, the Pantsir-S1 replica is also being utilized in Opposing Forces (OPFOR) training, where designated U.S. military units simulate enemy tactics and combat doctrines.
The United States has long employed OPFOR units at premier training centers to ensure battlefield realism and prepare its forces for potential engagements against near-peer adversaries such as Russia and China. These include:
- 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment – National Training Center (NTC), Fort Irwin, California
- 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment – Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC), Fort Johnson, Louisiana
- 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment – Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC), Hohenfels, Germany
By utilizing high-fidelity replicas in OPFOR exercises, U.S. forces can simulate advanced adversary tactics and develop counter-strategies against modern air defense networks, significantly improving operational readiness in a contested battlespace.
The development of enemy air defense replicas is part of a broader U.S. defense strategy aimed at countering emerging threats. In 2023, U.S. military intelligence confirmed the transportation of high-fidelity replicas of the Russian S-300 and Tor-M1 air defense systems by rail, underscoring Washington’s commitment to understanding and neutralizing adversary military hardware.
This strategic initiative is not limited to replicas—the Pentagon has actively pursued the acquisition of real foreign air defense systems for decades. In June 2020, the U.S. executed a clandestine operation in Libya to seize and extract an operational Pantsir-S1 system, further enhancing its ability to reverse-engineer Russian air defense capabilities.
Operation “Pantsir Heist”
In one of the most sophisticated intelligence operations of recent years, a U.S. special forces unit successfully infiltrated Libya and seized a fully operational Pantsir-S1 system, previously under the control of General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA).
The Pentagon and NATO intelligence agencies expressed concerns that if the Russian-made system, supplied by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), were to fall into the hands of extremist factions or rogue militias, it could be used against Western military assets operating in the region.
According to The Times (UK), a U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster transport aircraft was deployed for the extraction, given the substantial size of the Pantsir-S1 system. The aircraft landed at Zuwarah Airport, west of Tripoli, where U.S. personnel secured the air defense system before transporting it to Ramstein Air Base, Germany—a critical U.S. military installation in Europe.
At Ramstein, American defense analysts conducted an extensive technical breakdown of the Pantsir-S1, extracting valuable intelligence on its radar, missile guidance systems, electronic warfare countermeasures, and software architecture. This intelligence has likely contributed to the ongoing development of countermeasures designed to neutralize Pantsir-equipped adversaries in conflicts such as Ukraine.
Russia’s Air Defense Strategy
The Pantsir-S1 remains a key component of Russia’s layered air defense strategy, providing point-defense capabilities for critical military and government infrastructure. Equipped with:
- Six 57E6-E surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) – Effective up to 20 kilometers (12.4 miles) and 50,000 feet altitude
- Two 2A38M 30mm autocannons – Capable of engaging low-flying aircraft and cruise missiles
- Integrated radar and electro-optical tracking system – Ensuring multi-target engagement capability
The Pantsir-S1 has been actively deployed in multiple combat zones, including Syria, Libya, and Ukraine, where it has demonstrated varying degrees of effectiveness against Western and NATO-aligned air assets.
However, the U.S. acquisition and continued study of the Pantsir-S1—alongside the creation of realistic training replicas—suggest a wider effort to develop SEAD/DEAD (Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses) tactics tailored to counter Russian and Chinese air defense architectures. The United States’ ability to replicate, analyze, and simulate enemy defense systems underscores a critical advantage in next-generation warfare.
As geopolitical tensions escalate, particularly in Eastern Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East, Washington’s efforts to neutralize Russian and Chinese air defenses will be instrumental in ensuring continued air superiority and global force projection.
The ongoing integration of advanced targeting pods, electronic warfare suites, and AI-assisted autonomous targeting systems suggests that the next evolution of air combat will be heavily focused on countering and suppressing integrated air defense networks. In this evolving landscape, the meticulous study of adversary technology—through captured systems and high-fidelity replicas—remains a cornerstone of the U.S. military’s strategic doctrine.
