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Last edited by Draykov on May 10, 2007 - 02:19 AM; edited 3 times in total

I got a picture today of a 93rd FS "Mako" out of Homestead today, and it had a weird pod that I didn't recognize on the centerline...at least I think it's on the centerline...it's hard to tell because there is also a luggage pod slung underneath the Viper. Can anyone enlighten me as to what this thing is?

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The pod underneath the jet is a recce pod. and the luggage pod is hanging from a tur (spelling?) which you can see off the right wing. I am not completely sure on what the recce pod does but I do know it takes pictures.

Enthusiast Joined: Jul 31, 2006 Posts: 23 Status: Offline

The pod on station 5 is indeed a RECCE pod. More specifically, it is a TARS (AN/ASQ-11) pod. It has 2 cameras in it. One fixed camera in the forward section & one movable camera in the mid-bay. Viper units are currently flying this pod in OIF. Usually, when you see units flying them stateside they are in spin-up from an upcoming AEF.

Thanks, guys. I don't think I've seen anything like that since the old TARPS pods they had on the Tomcat. And flcnchfjz, I think you meant TER (triple ejector rack).

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 12, 2005 Posts: 1581 Status: Offline

Vader7043 wrote:

Viper units are currently flying this pod in OIF. Usually, when you see units flying them stateside they are in spin-up from an upcoming AEF.

Also note that not all units are funded for the ASQ-11 TARS mission and not all aircraft in a given unit can carry the pod. Aircraft must be modified to carry and operate this system.

Greetings,

Henrik.

Henrik is correct. Does anyone know if the unit got jets from the Virgina ANG? they had TARS jets but have given them up to move from the Richmond airport to Langley and become the first Guard F-22 Squadron.

Ace02 wrote:

Henrik is correct. Does anyone know if the unit got jets from the Virgina ANG? they had TARS jets but have given them up to move from the Richmond airport to Langley and become the first Guard F-22 Squadron.

No, they're two different models of Viper. The 192FW had NSI jets while the 482FW has MCID.

Jake

Thanks Jake,
so where did the Va jets go?

Enthusiast Joined: Jul 31, 2006 Posts: 23 Status: Offline

I'm not sure about the funding issues but, I can tell you from hands on experience that any Viper modified with the AN/ALQ-213 CMS system can carry & operate the TARS pod. The TARS is operated & controlled through the CMS system. It is mounted to a pylon (specific to the TARS pod) on STA #5. We flew them for a few months during our AEF spin-up & moved them from aircraft to aircraft (Block 30) with no issues. No modification was necessary to the aircraft. Form, fit, & function right off the trailer.

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 12, 2005 Posts: 1581 Status: Offline

Ace02 wrote:

Thanks Jake,
so where did the Va jets go?

Hello Ace,

The "Small Inlet" Block-30 F-16s used to operate in the 149th FS / 192nd FW of the VA ANG have so far been spread to three other units;

The 121st FS / 113th FW of the DC ANG (86-0227, 86-0230, 86-0232 and 86-0243).

The 175th FS / 114th FW of the SD ANG (86-0225, 86-0228 plus three more).

The 457th FS / 301st FW - AFRC - in Texas (86-0216, 86-0244, 86-0245, 86-0246 plus one).

One jet - F-16D 85-1572 - has not yet been reassigned.

Also I believe that funding has a bit to do with the TARS mission as units like the CO, NM and MT ANG units ("Rocky Mountain Coalition") have never used the TARS pod and have very few aircraft equipped with the AN/ALQ-213 to operate the system.

A bit like the LAU-68 rocket pods - not all ANG units have the funds to train and deploy with these pods.

And a lot like the funding for the ECM-pods. If a unit is funded for ALQ-184s - they do not carry and operate ALQ-131s and vice versa!!

The two remaining AFRC units with their own aircraft - the 93rd FS / 482nd FW at Homestead ARB, FL and the 457th FS / 301st FW at NAS Ft. Worth JRB, TX both have funds for the TARS and the LAU-68 pods. Both units also use the ALQ-131 ECM pods.

Many greetings,

Henrik.

thanks... so a few are right in my backyard? (DC ANG) interesting. I'll take the family model as long as no one wants it yet, lol.

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 12, 2005 Posts: 1581 Status: Offline

Hi Ace,

Yes, some are in Your very backyard!! Keep an empty seat for me in that D-tub Wink

!!

Greetings,

Henrik.

Henrik wrote:

The 457th FS / 301st FW - AFRC - in Texas (86-0216, 86-0244, 86-0245, 86-0246 plus one).

The home team. Smile

Elite 1K Joined: Jul 12, 2005 Posts: 1581 Status: Offline

The home team indeed, Draykov!! Do You have additional new serials for the 457th FS than the four already posted above??

Greetings,

Henrik.

No, Henrik, I don't. Though, I did manage to get photos of 86-216, 86-0244 and 86-0245.

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Weird pod on centerline... (Mystery solved: TARS AN/ASQ-11)