F-16 Fighting Falcon News

February 9, 2004 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Poland's Ministry of National Defense has selected Goodrich Corporation's DB-110 airborne reconnaissance system for use on F-16 fighters.
The DB-110 digital, real-time, tactical reconnaissance system allows pilots to capture images day or night using electro-optical sensor technology.The camera is enclosed in a 19ft (6m) pod mounted on the underside of an aircraft. Images are fed in real time into a ground station, allowing users to make an accurate analysis of the situation on the ground over which the aircraft is flying, so important decisions can be made quickly.

The camera itself can be easily directed via receiver units situated within the pod to focus in on a particular area. On the ground, the images can be downloaded anywhere meaning that the DB110 package is very mobile.

Imagery is viewed on the F-16's cockpit video display, enabling the navigator to verify targets and conduct tasks such as battle damage assessment. This system allows the pilot increased flexibility over current fielded systems.

The Polish F-16s will be the first Fighting Falcons to be outfitted with this technology.

Goodrich's Surveillance and Reconnaissance Systems (SRS) Massachusetts-based facility will be manufacturing and delivering DB-110 airborne reconnaissance pods, with the data link ground stations to be designed and built by a Goodrich facility in the United Kingdom.