VF-154 TARPS goes digital;
enhances battle management

The Black Knights of Fighter Squadron ONE FIVE FOUR recently converted its Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) pods from conventional to digital giving the squadron the capability to record and transmit digital imagery.

With the assistance of technical representatives and contractors from Naval Aviation Engineering Service Unit (NAESU), Hughes, and Signal Corporation, the squadron modified its jets and TARPS pods and installed a Digital Camera Receiving Station in the Carrier’s Intelligence Center. This proved to be a first for the Navy.

"All other F-14 squadrons to make the complete transition from conventional TARPS to Digital TARPS did so prior to deployment, never while underway," Ron Bowers, NAESU representative said. Bowers, who has been involved in the digital TARPS modification process with nine other squadrons said that this has been the easiest and quickest installation so far.

"VF-154, Carrier Air Wing FIVE, and USS Independence all work extremely well together and consequently, the entire process went very easily and with few headaches," Bowers added. He went on to say the lessons learned from other squadrons were applied by VF-154 and the support they received from Rear Adm. Charles W. Moore Jr., Battle Force FIFTH Fleet, made all the difference.

Conventional TARPS used three highly sophisticated film cameras. But, just like aerial reconnaissance as far back as World War I, the aircraft had to fly home and the film processed in a photo lab before anyone could see the pictures.

Digital TARPS upgrade older TARPS systems by replacing the forward camera with a digital camera. An Imaging processor, used for storing and processing the images, is installed in the rear section of the TARPS pod.

Now an F-14 carrying the new digital TARPS pod can fly over its target and record images with the digital camera and transmit them back to the ship via existing communication equipment long before the aircraft lands.

"This brings to the area commander near real-time battle management," said Cmdr. Drew Brugal, Commanding Officer, VF-154. "This newly implemented technology greatly increases the value of TARPS for the Air Wing and the Battle Group."

In a remarkable display of coordination within the Air Wing, a successful autocat transmission was received by the Digital Camera Receiving Station just three days after the first TARPS pod was modified. This process includes transmitting an image from the F-14 to an E-2C Hawkeye, which in turn, relays the image to the ship. This greatly increases the distance an image can be transmitted. Typically, a squadron operates digital TARPS for months before it conducts a successful autocat transmission.

With Digital TARPS, force commanders will be able to receive data, analyze it and make decisions on the battlefield in far less time then it took commanders in Operation Desert Storm. For example, they will be able determine the kinds of air power needed to strike a target before that target can take evasive action.

The relative simplicity and low cost of the Digital Camera Receiving Station means it can be packaged and deployed with amphibious and maritime interdiction forces, and ground units. This means the Digital TARPS aircraft can work directly with the unit requesting the reconnaissance services.

With Digital TARPS, area commanders can now have near real-time imagery greatly enhancing battle management. Decisions can now be made about targeting and re-attack options far earlier then they could prior to this technology being employed by the Navy.

Caption1: Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Christopher L. Pastol from San Antonio, Texas makes final adjustments to the digital camera. PHOTO BY: PH3 Matthew J. Feyeriesen

Caption2: Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Matthew Sparling from Fortuna, Calif. works on the TARPS pod in preparation for a photo reconnaissance mission. PHOTO BY: PH3 Matthew J. Feyeriesen