F-14 TARPS growth architecture

The Navy's Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS), flown on F-14 Tomcat aircraft, has been the primary source of tactical photographic imagery for the U.S. military since its initial deployment in 1981. Recent Navy initiatives have provided critically needed operational capabilities which will enable the TARPS System to continue to meet the challenges of evolving tac recce requirements in the post-Cold War world. This paper discusses these TARPS enhancements and missions, and how the new capabilities are being employed to solve the sensor-to-shooter problem. Additional TARPS growth capabilities and requirements, consistent with the guidance of Joint Vision 2010, and the Navy's TAC RECCE - 2020 STUDY recommendations, are also presented. Recommendations are provided on the continued enhancement of the F-14 TARPS capabilities, as well as the utilization of the TARPS System as a test bed to verify concepts and technologies for follow-on tac recce platforms.