Figure 4-8.—TARPS.
configuration in a few minutes by removing the external
TARPS.
Primary daylight photography from horizon to
horizon is accomplished using the panoramic camera.
This camera is located in the center area of the pod. The
panoramic camera is used primarily for low-to-medium
altitude reconnaissance, limited standoff, or coastal
coverage. The frame camera, located in the front area
of the pod, has two positions.
The frame camera is used for vertical photography
or forward-oblique daylight photography. The frame
camera in the forward-oblique position is useful for
flight path plots, prestrike route segments, targets, and
checkpoint photography. In the vertical position, a
frame camera provides backup photography for bomb
damage assessment (BDA), route area, ship
photography, mapping, and some aspects of air-to-air
photography. It is fully functional over a wide range of
aircraft speeds and altitudes.
Both day and night reconnaissance can be
accomplished using the infrared reconnaissance set
located in the rear section of the pod. Multisensor
reconnaissance involves using two or more similar
sensors; for example, two or more photographic
cameras with different focal lengths and depression
angles, setting up the sensors with different spectral
capabilities (photographic cameras using color film and
an infrared detecting system, for example), or covering
the same target area with two or more sensors during
the same mission (fig. 4-9).
Tactical reconnaissance requirements are received
from various levels of command and in various forms,
including Special Intelligence Collection Requirements
(SICRs), Naval Intelligence Collections Requirements
(NICRs), and Essential Elements of Information (EEI).
An EEI is normally originated by the task force
commander or embarked flag; however, they may be
derived from operational orders from the task force
commander and directed by the carrier air wing (CAG)
commander. The requirements for any reconnaissance
recon) mission are generally passed from the CAG to
the reconnaissance squadrons. The reconnaissance
squadrons plan and execute a mission that will
ultimately meet the objectives of the CAG.
At sea, TARPS is supported by the Carrier-Based
Intelligence Center (CVIC) that is an operational
intelligence center designed and developed to process,
analyze, and correlate intelligence data from a variety
of reconnaissance platforms. The support provided by
CVIC includes film processing, image analysis and
interpretation, and dissemination of intelligence
information to operational commanders for planning
tactical operations. Your primary responsibility as a
Photographer’s Mate is to process aerial film.
Each squadron having TARPS aircraft is assigned
one photo officer and several enlisted Photographer's
Mates who work in a ground-support role at the
squadron level and as film processor operators in the
CVIC. A Photographer’s Mate that completes Fleet
Readiness Aviation Maintenance Personnel (FRAMP)
4-8
