The Self Contained Aerial Reconnaissance Pod

The Self Contained Aerial Reconnaissance Pod

The ability to equip fighter aircraft with an airborne tactical reconnaissance pod is a powerful capability.self contained aerial reconnaissance pod It can reveal adversary posture and intent at the point of engagement, when strategic collection systems are limited or unavailable – and provides vital information to the commander in high intensity war. Pods are typically attached to fixed-wing aircraft, but can be mounted on helicopters and UAVs as well. They range in complexity from single function units such as laser spot tracker pods and laser designation pods, to multifunction systems with Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR), TV and laser designator capabilities.

Traditionally such systems are mounted on dedicated reconnaissance aircraft but the requirement to provide day and night ISTAR capabilities to many aircraft types has resulted in a range of self contained pods.self contained aerial reconnaissance pod These have been developed to offer a wide variety of payloads that can turn almost any light aircraft into an ISTAR platform.

While not as comprehensive as a purpose built reconnaissance system, a good example is the US Navy’s AN/AAQ-14 Targeting Pod for Carrier Airborne Reconnaissance (TARPS) which has been in service on F-15C Eagles and F-16C/D Falcons since 1980. Initially it was simply a 'wet film' targeting pod, but later modifications allowed it to relay imagery in near real time back to the carrier aircraft and to ground stations via a secure UHF datalink. This capability was proven in a combat environment when an AIM-9X Sidewinder missile engagement of an enemy aircraft was conducted on 8 July 2020 by an F-15C from the 85th Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES).

The TARPS system uses two separate gimbal-mounted EO/IR sensors that can be adjusted independently for optimum performance. The sensor bays used to carry different cameras for specific tasks, with a low level role using a single Vinten F95 Mk 7 camera in the nose, and a mid-level or 'high oblique' role requiring a fan of four horizon to horizon F95 Mk 10 cameras (two with 3 inch and two with 1.5 inch lenses). The pod could also be fitted with an EMI 401 infra-red linescan imager to provide mapping and MTI capabilities.

A digitised version of this AN/AAQ-14 pod was introduced in 2003 and is known as the AN/AAQ-14 DI (Digital Imagery) pod. This replaces the wet film sensor with a CA-749H and CA-749M digital dual spectrum sensor that can transmit imagery in real time to a ground station. It also contains a'spot tracking' sensor and a laser designation-rangefinder to support the firing of laser guided weapons.

An intriguing alternative to these more complex systems is the Self Contained Aerial Reconnaissance Pod designed by Airborne Technologies for use on the Pilatus PC-9 turbo-prop trainer aircraft. It is a lightweight carbon fibre pod that can be fitted to any aircraft with NATO standard pylon lugs and offers power, up and down link communications, and COMINT/SIGINT equipment. The pod is controlled by a display unit in the cockpit, with the RIO having total control over pod operation.