A U.S. Navy F-14 Tomcat will over-fly the Pentagon North Parking Lot at 1:00 p.m. today to demonstrate the newest model of the Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System [TARPS (CD)]. This latest advancement provides real-time dissemination of high-resolution digital data to the battlefield.

The test will be the first proof-of-concept demonstration of TARPS (CD) in a tactical environment. It will also be the first time real-time/near real-time, electro-optical step framing imagery will be data-linked via common data link to a receiving ground station from a tactical platform. This will provide the warfighter a high-resolution, robust, wide-area coverage capability.

The F-14 will be flying at an altitude of 10,000 feet and at a velocity of 250 knots when it overflies the Pentagon. The TARPS imagery will be downlinked from a wing-mounted pod composed of a CA-261 electro-optical framing sensor, Department of Defense standard common data link transmitter, and digital recorder. The imagery will be received by a ground system located in the Pentagon North Parking Lot, by the daycare building, and will be composed of a CA-2000 image display system, common data link receiver, and digital recorder.

TARPS (CD) was developed from concept to product in approximately 1 1/2 years, and its components are all commercial and non-developmental items. The system prototype will be delivered to the Navy this summer in preparation for deployment aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt later this year.

The demonstration is open to all interested media. If you would like more information, you may contact LT Chris Sims at the CHINFO News Desk, (703) 697-5342.