F-16 Fighting Falcon News

March 6, 2013 (by Lieven Dewitte) - UTC Aerospace Systems has received a contract to deliver electro-optic/infra-red (EO/IR) reconnaissance pods for the Turkish Air Force F-16s. The contract was awarded by Aselsan Elektronic Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. on behalf of the Turkish Air Force and is part of the Turkish Airborne Reconnaissance Program (TARP).
UTC Aerospace Systems will supply four advanced Dual Band-110 (DB-110) reconnaissance pods for the Turkish Air Force F-16 aircraft and three fixed/transportable Imagery Exploitation Systems, as well as training and logistical support services to the air force.

A derivative of Goodrich's Senior Year Electro-optic Reconnaissance System-2 (SYERS-2) multispectral sensor system, the DB-110 is an advanced electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) pod designed to provide pilots with real-time, long-range, high-resolution, video imagery during both day and night time tactical reconnaissance operations.

The captured data is then relayed to analysts on the ground, which can also be displayed on the aircraft's cockpit video display to help pilots verify targets and conduct battle damage assessment.

Three different fields of view, including a long-range standoff, medium range operations and low-altitude, direct overflight, are offered by the system in support of standoff and penetrating missions.

Currently operational in Greece, Poland, Egypt, Japan and Morocco, the pod was also installed on the UK Royal Air Force's (RAF) Tornado GR4 fighters during operations in Afghanistan and Libya. The delivery schedule has not been disclosed by the company.