With the development of F-14 Tomcats equipped with the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS), the Navy continues to improve its photographic reconnaissance capabilities fig 47. TARPS, when fully configured for the tactical reconnaissance function, contains two photographic sensors (cameras): one infrared reconnaissance set (IRRS)-the electronics required to operate the cameras and the IRRS-and the auxiliary equipment to support the system (fig 4-8) . The TARPS can be used in a variety of tactical photo reconnaissance situations, such as target acquisition, prestrike target identification, poststrike target assessment, target tracking, maritime surveillance, and map surveillance. The TARPS is designed to provide day and night and low-to-high altitude reconnaissance. Operation of TARPS is controlled by the naval flight officer/radar intercept officer (NFO/RIO). Additionally, the pilot is provided with camera ON-OFF capability. The TARPS-equipped Tomcats retain a significant offensive capability, even when carrying out a photographic role. The aircraft can be returned to a full-combat

Figure 4-7-F-14 Tomcat equipped with TARPS.

Fiiure 4-S.--TARPS.

configuration in a few minutes by removing the external TARPS.

Primary daylight photography from horizon to horizon is accomplished using the panoramic camera. This camera is located in the center area of the pod. The panoramic camera is used primarily for low-to-medium altitude reconnaissance, limited standoff, or coastal coverage. The frame camera, located in the front area of the pod, has two positions.

The frame camera is used for vertical photography or forward-oblique daylight photography. The frame camera in the forward-oblique position is useful for flight path plots, prestrike route segments, targets, and checkpoint photography. In the vertical position, a frame camera provides backup photography for bomb damage assessment (BDA), route area, ship photography, mapping, and some aspects of air-to-air photography. It is fully functional over a wide range of aircraft speeds and altitudes.

Both day and night reconnaissance can be accomplished using the infrared reconnaissance set located in the rear section of the pod. Multisensor reconnaissance involves using two or more similar sensors; for example, two or more photographic cameras with different focal lengths and depression angles, setting up the sensors with different spectral capabilities (photographic cameras using color film and an infrared detecting system, for example), or covering the same target area with two or more sensors during the same mission fig 4-9.

Tactical reconnaissance requirements are received from various levels of command and in various forms, including Special Intelligence Collection Requirements (SICRs), Naval Intelligence Collections Requirements (NICRs), and Essential Elements of Information (EEI). An EEI is normally originated by the task force commander or embarked flag; however, they may be derived from operational orders from the task force commander and directed by the carrier air wing (CAG) commander. The requirements for any reconnaissance recon) mission are generally passed from the CAG to the reconnaissance squadrons. The reconnaissance squadrons plan and execute a mission that will ultimately meet the objectives of the CAG.

At sea, TARPS is supported by the Carrier-Based Intelligence Center (CVIC) that is an operational intelligence center designed and developed to process, analyze, and correlate intelligence data from a variety of reconnaissance platforms. The support provided by CVIC includes film processing, image analysis and interpretation, and dissemination of intelligence information to operational commanders for planning tactical operations. Your primary responsibility as a Photographer's Mate is to process aerial film.

Each squadron having TARPS aircraft is assigned one photo officer and several enlisted Photographer's Mates who work in a ground-support role at the squadron level and as film processor operators in the CVIC. A Photographer's Mate that completes Fleet Readiness Aviation Maintenance Personnel (FRAMP)

Figure 4-9.-Sensor coverage of TARPS.

Class C school (NEC 8345) is assigned to an F-14 squadron and is responsible for the maintenance of TARP fig. 4-10.

Currently the F/A-18 Hornet has a 35mm strike-camera capability installed in the nose of the aircraft. The F/A-18 is a supersonic, twin-engine jet designed as a multimission (fighter, attack, and reconnaissance) aircraft that has been in service since the 1980s.