The DB-110 Aerial Reconnaissance Pod

The DB-110 Aerial Reconnaissance Pod

Pods are the backbone of any airborne intelligence gathering system.aerial reconnaissance pod They allow an aircraft to carry a variety of sensors, including electro-optical (EO) cameras and radars, to gather intelligence about the world below it. Designed to work with existing aircraft, pods are used by many nations around the world to enhance their ISR capabilities and provide actionable intelligence.

The DB-110 is the primary U.aerial reconnaissance pod S. produced wide area long range EO/IR reconnaissance pod in service today, and is operational with 18 international air forces aboard fast jets. The DB-110 carries three sensors—a two-position vertical and forward oblique KS-87 frame camera, a low altitude KA-99 panoramic camera, and an infrared detection and tracking sensor. Using existing cockpit controls, the system operates with little impact on aircraft performance. It requires only power, signal and environmental control connections.

A sleeve attached to the rear of the pod holds a movable platform that allows it to be positioned for various missions such as ground surveillance or targeting.aerial reconnaissance pod The DB-110 uses an oblique lens to extend the camera’s field of view. The panoramic camera can be orientated to capture images from the horizon through to a 45° angle for forward oblique photography. It can also be oriented to capture a wide field of view for coastal or limited standoff photography.

Each day, a pair of daylight cameras can take up to 4,500 feet of film on each mission.aerial reconnaissance pod Once the camera’s are inserted into the pod and sealed, they can be rushed to the processing plant aboard a ship—the fastest known turnaround for film processing is 13 minutes.

The TARPS pod is a rugged aluminum case that protects the cameras from vibration and soaking by hydraulic fluid and JP-5 jet fuel. The RIO has complete control of pod operation and a pilot controlled button that activates cameras at the RIO’s request—but is rarely used. An onboard Reconnaissance Management System controls the camera sensors and provides a data link for transmitting imagery to a Common Imaging Ground Station/Surface Station (CIG/SS) ashore or Navy JSIPS-N aboard ship.

Unlike other pods that require an external radar to track targets, the PRS is equipped with its own AESA-type non-rotating radar. The radar can be positioned in either of the pod’s two bays to cover a different part of the target. The pod’s internal environmental control system manages the temperature and humidity inside, so the radar can operate in hot or cold temperatures.

The pod’s modular design allows for rapid repair and maintenance. An automated built-in test allows flightline maintainers to isolate faults at the line-replaceable unit (LRU) level and reduce downtime. Spares are ordered through a user-friendly website and can be shipped in transit. The system’s modular design also permits a road map for future upgrades. The MS-177, the next evolution of Raytheon’s Senior Year Electronically Scanned Array (SYERS) sensor flown on the U-2S, can be easily installed within the DB-110, minimizing risk and cost. It will eventually be adapted for use on F-16C Block 50 aircraft as well.

Tags:electro optical pod | self contained aerial reconnaissance pod | tactical airborne reconnaissance pod system