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Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System
Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System
Tactical airborne reconnaissance pod systems are a vital source of responsive intelligence that can fill a critical high-threat and under-the-weather gap not met by existing collection assets, such as space satellites or U-2s. The ability to mate a wide variety of sensors on demand to manned fighter aircraft offers great flexibility and a cost-effective alternative for small air forces that cannot afford large dedicated airborne ISR platforms.
A tactical reconnaissance pod system enables an operational commander to fly over a target area and immediately collect exploitation-ready multisensor imagery for analysis in contested environments. In addition, a pod-equipped aircraft can quickly be redirected from one area to another as needed without incurring the additional operating costs and risks of conducting a traditional airborne mission.
Nevertheless, there are many limitations associated with a pod-carried sensor that can impact the effectiveness of an ISR capability in an adversary contested environment. These constraints include sensor resolving power (the ability to resolve detail) and range limitations. The limited space, vibration levels and environmental ranges of a pod also place significant limitations on its capacity to carry multiple sensors and other payloads.
While the primary goal of a tactical reconnaissance pod is to provide an image of the battlespace, it can also help detect, track and possibly deter enemy activities and operations. In addition, a tactical reconnaissance pod can allow the commander to determine his adversary’s defensive posture and intent.
The TARPS (Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System) pod, which is currently carried by RAAF F-16 Fighting Falcons from the 332nd Expeditionary Operations Support Squadron in Iraq, offers these capabilities. Designed for use in high-threat, under-the-weather environments, it comprises a dual-position, vertical and forward oblique KS-87 frame camera; a KA-99 low-altitude panoramic camera and an AAD-5 imaging infrared sensor. It is positioned on the rear fuselage weapon station #5 and does not negatively impact the flight characteristics of the F-16 by requiring a larger aircraft profile or increasing fuel consumption.
Once in flight, the TARPS camera data is transmitted to ground intelligence and command and control centers via an onboard data link. Once the mission is complete, the film is rushed to processing for printing on-board and the pod can be removed from the aircraft in just over 30 minutes.
During the 1980s, the TARPS pod was fitted to 49 Grumman F-14 Tomcats and operated until the type’s retirement in 2006. The TARPS pod was able to mount a wide variety of optical and infrared sensors on the back of the fighter, and did not significantly impact the performance or handling of the aircraft in a combat environment.
Several other nations have successfully employed pod-based airborne ISR systems, including the DB-110, a tactical derivative of the U-2 sensor, which is carried on several fast jet platforms, such as the Gripen and Tornado. The DB-110 has proven popular in these international air forces due to its platform agnostic nature and flexibility of deployment. However, there is a clear need for an improved EO digital imager with greater field of view and resolution to complement the current DB-110 fleet. The TARPS Digital Imagery Improvement (TARPS CD) effort represents just such an opportunity.
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