SHARP prototype system demonstration program

The prototype effort within the SHAred Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP) program successfully demonstrated real-time reconnaissance operation of the prototype SHARP system on an F/A-18F and of the prototype SHARP payload on a P-3 in coordinated flights, each aircraft downlinking imagery to a NAVIS ground station and displaying that imagery in real time on August 28, 2001 in Washington, DC. The principal technology objectives - to verify that dual-band camera technology was sufficiently mature and that the SHARP Reconnaissance Management System (SRMS) with its operating software could control the SHARP subsystems and deliver real-time high-bandwidth reconnaissance imagery - were achieved through demonstration flights. The prototype SHARP Pod system is now used as a test asset in support of the E&MD phase of the SHARP program. Further development of technology for SHARP is continuing. The Airborne Real-time Imagery Exploitation System (ARIES) has been developed for incorporation into the SRMS to provide the flight crew enhanced image exploitation capability for time critical strike. ARIES capability is undergoing continuing development and evaluataion in combination with Fast Tactical Imagery (FTI) real-time, cockpit-to-user, transmission of the selected imagery.