F-16 Fighting Falcon News

February 5, 1998 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Selected Air National Guard (ANG) F-16C's (being equipped with an advanced reconnaissance pod developed by the Aeronautical Systems Center) are assured of the pod's medium-altitude surveillance capability thanks to an Air Force contract awarded today. The center's Theater Airborne Reconnaissance System (TARS) Program Office has awarded a $6. 25 million contract modification to Lockheed Martin Fairchild Systems, Syosset, N. Y., for six Medium Altitude Electro Optical (MAEO) sensors and associated circuit cards for the TARS pods, which are carried externally on F-16C's.
To be installed in the TARS pods' mid-bay sections, the new sensor will give pilots an improved view of targets from medium-altitude (above 15, 000feet) for under-the-weather, daytime imagery collection. Imagery will be displayed in the cockpit and recorded on the pod's mission tape. According to Maj. Prechtl, TARS Program Manager, TARS flight testing with its ground station is scheduled for this April at the Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. ; and the ANG/Air Force Reserve Test Center, Tucson, Ariz.

Testing should conclude in July, just prior to fielding. In April 1999 the Air Force will begin retrofitting the MAEO sensors into the TARS pods in the five ANG squadrons. The sixth sensor, and other components, were purchased as spares. Flight testing of the MAEO sensor will begin in August 1998, at Edwards Air Force Base and at the ANG Test Center, and will conclude in October 1998.