UTC Aerospace Systems, a joint venture between Goodrich and Hamilton Sundstrand, has received a contract to deliver advanced Dual Band-110 (DB-110) airborne reconnaissance systems for integration into the Turkish Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.
Awarded by Aselsan Elektronic Sanayi ve Ticaret, the contract is part of the Turkish Airborne Reconnaissance Program (TARP).
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Under the contract, the company will provide four DB-110 reconnaissance pods, along with three fixed / transportable imagery exploitation systems, as well as training and logistical support services to the air force.
UTC Aerospace Systems ISR Systems vice president Kevin Raftery said: "This selection by Turkey marks our ninth award on the F-16 aircraft and with this growing customer base; the DB-110 has become the standard for F-16 reconnaissance systems around the world."
A derivative of Goodrich’s Senior Year Electro-optic Reconnaissance System-2 (SYERS-2) multispectral sensor system, the DB-110 is an advanced electro-optical infrared (EO/IR) pod designed to provide pilots with real-time, long-range, high-resolution, video imagery during both day and night time tactical reconnaissance operations.
The captured data is then relayed to analysts on the ground, which can also be displayed on the aircraft’s cockpit video display to help pilots verify targets and conduct battle damage assessment.
Three different fields of view, including a long-range standoff, medium range operations and low-altitude, direct overflight, are offered by the system in support of standoff and penetrating missions.
Currently operational in Greece, Poland, Egypt, Japan and Morocco, the pod was also installed on the UK Royal Air Force’s (RAF) Tornado GR4 fighters during operations in Afghanistan and Libya. The delivery schedule has not been disclosed by the company.
Image: A Turkish F-16C fighter aircraft conducting a combat air patrol. Photo courtesy of TSGT Brad Fallin.
