|
Caption:
At sea aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Jan. 13, 2003 -- A Shared
Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP), installed on the bottom of an
F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Black Aces" of Strike
Fighter Squadron Four One (VFA-41), moves towards one of four steam
catapults on the ship's flight deck. The Shared Reconnaissance
Pod (SHARP) is a multi-functioned reconnaissance pod, adaptable to
several airborne platforms for tactical manned airborne
reconnaissance. It is capable of simultaneous airborne and ground
screening capabilities, and is designed to replace the Navy's Tactical
Airborne Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS), currently flown on the
F-14 Tomcat. Nimitz is currently undergoing Composite Unit
Training Exercise (COMTUEX) off the coast of San Diego, Calif. COMPTUEX
is an exercise designed to train the ship, airwing, and other vessels
in the battle group to function as one fighting force. U.S. Navy
photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Keith Hutton. (RELEASED)
|
