Figure 4-9.—Sensor coverage of TARPS.
Class C school (NEC 8345) is assigned to an F-14
squadron and is responsible for the maintenance of
TARPS (fig. 4-10).
Currently the F/A-18 Hornet has a 35mm
strike-camera capability installed in the nose of the
aircraft. The F/A-18 is a supersonic, twin-engine jet
designed as a multimission (fighter, attack, and
reconnaissance) aircraft that has been in service since
the 1980s.
AERIAL CAMERAS
Aerial cameras, with few exceptions, have the same
basic design. They have shutters, lenses, focal planes,
drive mechanisms, film holders (magazines), and an
assembly to hold the component parts in alignment.
Aerial cameras are designed for either fixed installation
or hand-held use. Fixed installation cameras are
designed specifically for use in photo-configured
aircraft. Hand-held aerial cameras are designed for use
by PHs and by non-photographic aircrew personnel.
A system of joint military designators has been
developed to provide identification for all aerial
cameras. This system assigns type designators for
aerial cameras listed in Military Standards,
MIL-STD-155A. Each category is assigned a
distinctive letter designation to indicate a major item,
accessory, attachment or component, and a mission
letter to indicate the mission or function of each item.
Each two-letter combination is provided with a model
number assigned in numerical sequence and, when
required, with a suffix letter assigned in alphabetical
sequence to indicate various changes to the basic model.
The category and mission letters for aerial cameras are
as follows:
Picture-Taking Equipment:
Category Letter:
K—Camera
L—Accessories, Attachments, or Components
for Cameras
Mission Letter:
A—Reconnaissance
B—Strike Recording
4-9
