The Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS) is a large and sophisticated camera pod carried by the F-14 Tomcat. It contains three camera bays with different type cameras which are pointed down at passing terrain. It was originally designed to provide an interim reconnaissance capability until a dedicated F/A-18 Reconnaissance version could be fielded. However, it was pressed into service upon arrival in the fleet and was still in use up to the end of Tomcat service in 2006.
Read more about Tactical Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System: TARPS Pod and Tomcat Interoperability, Camera Bays, TARPS Missions, Upgrades, Operational History
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