Lockheed Martin develops a Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system mock-up on a Peterbilt 320 truck for Sniper Pod testing.

As reported by The Dead District on March 7, 2025, Lockheed Martin has developed a replica of the Russian Pantsir-S1 air defense system using a Peterbilt 320 garbage truck as its base platform. This mock-up, informally referred to by some as the "Peter Pantsir," was created for testing and evaluation. It is primarily used to assess the effectiveness of the Sniper Advanced Targeting Pod, a sensor suite deployed on aircraft such as the F-16 and F-18, designed to identify and classify objects resembling real-world threats.
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Mock-up target vehicles are used to evaluate targeting and engagement systems on fighter jets by replicating adversary air defense systems, enabling pilots and sensor operators to analyze the accuracy and reliability of aircraft targeting pods, radar, and weapons systems when detecting and classifying potential threats. (Picture source: Twitter/The Dead District)

Mock-up target vehicles are used to evaluate targeting and engagement systems on fighter jets by replicating adversary air defense systems. These replicas enable pilots and sensor operators to analyze the accuracy and reliability of aircraft targeting pods, radar, and weapons systems when detecting and classifying potential threats. Testing with mock-ups allows for adjustments in detection algorithms, assessments of electronic warfare countermeasures, and pilot training under controlled conditions without direct engagement with operational enemy systems. This method provides data on the effectiveness of electro-optical targeting pods, radar-guided missiles, and electronic warfare suites in identifying and engaging targets, supporting the development of countermeasures and operational strategies.

The purpose of this mock-up remains open to interpretation, with some sources suggesting it is also intended for Opposing Forces (OPFOR) training. OPFOR is well-established within U.S. Army training exercises, where specialized units replicate adversaries to create realistic combat scenarios. These units follow structured methodologies to simulate enemy tactics, doctrine, and equipment, often using modified vehicles and operational techniques to match potential threats. The U.S. military maintains dedicated OPFOR units at major training centers: the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California; the 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment at the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Johnson, Louisiana; and the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) at Hohenfels, Germany.

These units employ live, virtual, and constructive training environments to test military strategies, validate operational doctrines, and expose personnel to varied threat scenarios. OPFOR training incorporates information warfare, electronic warfare, and cyber elements to replicate modern battlefield conditions. The program operates under the U.S. Army’s Operational Environment & Opposing Force Program (OE-OPFOR), which oversees OPFOR modernization, accreditation, and scenario development. OPFOR training is used in both national and multinational exercises, including joint operations such as Crocodile '03, which involved Australian-led OPFOR alongside U.S. Marine Corps forces.

The Peterbilt 320 is a Class 8 low-cab forward (LCF) truck introduced in 1987, primarily designed for waste collection but also used in construction, tanker, and fire service applications. It succeeded the Peterbilt 310 and was available in left-hand, right-hand, and dual-drive configurations, including a right-hand stand-up option. The truck featured multiple engine options, including the Cummins ISX12, PACCAR PX-9, Westport ISX12 G, and compressed natural gas (CNG) variants, paired with Fuller manual or Allison automatic transmissions.

The cab structure consisted of a zinc-coated steel sub-frame and an aluminum cab with bulkhead-style doors. The 320’s design included a lowered doghouse for improved visibility, removable panels, side storage compartments, and an optional cooling unit. In 2014, Peterbilt introduced the ProBilt interior with modifications to the dashboard, controls, and seating layout. The model remained in production until 2017, after which it was replaced by the Peterbilt 520, which retained the LCF layout while incorporating additional features for waste management operations.

In 2020, a Russian Pantsir-S1 system, supplied by the United Arab Emirates to forces aligned with Libyan General Khalifa Haftar, was reportedly captured and transported by a U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III to Ramstein Air Base in Germany. (Picture source: Russian social media)

The United States has actively acquired and analyzed foreign air defense systems to refine countermeasures and improve military tactics. A notable example occurred in 2020 when a Pantsir-S1 system, supplied by the United Arab Emirates to forces aligned with Libyan General Khalifa Haftar, was captured and transported by a U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III to Ramstein Air Base in Germany. While the official justification was to prevent the system from falling into militant hands, intelligence exploitation was likely a secondary objective. Examination of foreign systems such as the Pantsir-S1 allows U.S. defense analysts to assess vulnerabilities, enhance targeting accuracy, and develop suppression strategies.

The Pantsir-S1 was conceived in the 1990s as a successor to the Soviet-era Tunguska system, incorporating both missile and autocannon capabilities to provide short-to-medium-range air defense. Developed by KBP Instrument Design Bureau, it was first introduced in the mid-2000s and has since been exported to multiple countries. The system is mounted on various wheeled and tracked chassis, depending on the operator. Designed to engage a range of aerial threats—including aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles—the Pantsir-S1 integrates radar and infrared tracking. However, operational experiences in Libya, Syria, and Ukraine have highlighted its limitations, particularly against coordinated drone and missile strikes.

The threat posed by the Pantsir-S1 to fighter jets depends on the engagement scenario. The system’s 57E6 surface-to-air missiles have a reported range of approximately 20 km and can target aircraft flying at altitudes up to 15 km. While Pantsir-S1 units have successfully intercepted enemy airstrikes in some cases, they have also struggled against modern electronic warfare tactics and precision-guided munitions. In conflict zones such as Ukraine, Syria, and Libya, Pantsir-S1 units have been targeted by Turkish and Israeli drones, as well as Western-supplied munitions, exposing weaknesses in their detection and engagement systems. As a result, modifications and enhancements have been made to improve its tracking and targeting resilience in modern combat environments.