Complete RF-16 and Scout Pods with improved performance.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

[Reporter You Tailang/Hualien Report] The RF-16 fighters belonging to the 12th Reconnaissance Team of the Fifth Wing of the Air Force, after being upgraded from F-16A/B to F-16V, found that some functions could not be compatible with the reconnaissance pod Compatibility, after the project was sent back to the original factory in the United States for adjustment at the end of last year, it was sent back to the Hualien base a few days ago, and the performance test was completed for the first time in the rain.

The RF-16 fighter numbered 6709, the camera pod with improved belly mount performance, took off in the rain to test the function.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

Two upgraded F-16V fighter jets numbered 6709 and 6652 at Hualien Base of the Air Force took off in the rain at 8:00 am on March 31. Among them, 6709 was equipped with a highly sensitive surveillance pod, and 6652 was beside it. The whole process of observing, recording, and adjusting the performance of the reconnaissance pod has been completed by the F-16V fighter jets trained in the United States. However, due to the great difference in environmental factors between the United States and Taiwan, the Air Force Command decided to proceed with prudence. In the actual combat performance test, the Air Force also sent personnel to take a special plane to go to the whole inspection and guidance on the same day, and after confirming that the performance meets the requirements, the reconnaissance mission was carried out again.

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RF-16 landed in the rain, the tower behind it has become blurred.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

At 9:26 a.m. on March 31, heavy rain continued in the Hualien area. All training subjects that morning were canceled due to poor visibility, but the two F-16Vs still landed as planned. To be on the safe side, the Hualien base still had to return to the airport before landing. Constantly inspecting the water accumulation on the runway, and reminding the rain and weather conditions around the airport from the tower, 6709 with the camera pods on it landed smoothly, and then 6652 also landed safely. After the inspection by the ground crew, it slowly drove into the shed The factory further inspected the results of the whole process of testing and photographing.

RF-16 numbered 6709 landed at Hualien Airport in the rain.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

Officials revealed that after the performance of the F-16V fighter was improved, the camera pod was incompatible in terms of interface and wiring, so it was sent back to the original Lockheed Martin factory in the United States for adjustment, testing and performance improvement. Although this test The weather is not good, but it is just a good time to check the use status in harsh environments. The expected goal has been achieved initially, and it can be used again in the near future to take on the task of reconnaissance against the enemy.

The RF-16 and enhanced surveillance pods have completed testing and will return to operational readiness.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

The F-16V fighter jet is called RF-16 after it is mounted with a surveillance pod, and it is regarded as a "confidential" weapon by the Air Force. Weapons are usually covered by CAP mission aircraft (combat air patrol) when performing missions. They are almost the same in appearance. After years of drills, the relevant surveillance tactics have been quite proficient.

RF-16 slowly left the apron, ready to enter the shed for further inspection of test results.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

The reconnaissance pod mounted on the RF-16 is tailor-made for the F-16 by Lockheed Martin, and refers to the TARPS (Tactical Aerial Reconnaissance Pod System) originally mounted on the F-14 fighter It is improved and equipped with forward-looking KS-87B camera, low-altitude KA-99A panoramic camera, infrared AN/AAD-5 camera, GPS satellite locator, etc. In addition to directly shooting tactical targets, the captured video can be captured immediately Electronic image processing is used to send back to the base as real-time combat information.

After RF-16 landed, the ground crew inspected it.

(Photographed by reporter You Taro)

On December 26, 2016, the Air Force dispatched an RF-16 reconnaissance aircraft to carry out reconnaissance and photography missions against the Chinese aircraft carrier "Liaoning" and other ships; it mounted a reconnaissance pod commonly known as "Phoenix Eye" and successfully took back clear photos , has great tactical reference value for the national army.

RF-16 successfully photographed the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning.

(Provided by the Department of Defense)

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  • F-16V

  • RF-16

  • RF-16 surveillance camera

  • Scout pod

  • RF-16 reconnaissance aircraft

  • military news

  • Taiwan Navy situation

  • air force system

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