ROVER
Encyclopedia : R : RO : ROV : ROVER
ROVER, which stands for Remotely Operated Video Enhanced Receiver, is a system which allows Forward Air Controller on the ground to see what the aircraft is seeing in real time by transmitting images acquired by the aircraft's sensors to the laptop of the FAC on the ground. There's no time delay and usage of ROVER greatly improves the FAC on the ground reconnaissance and target identification which are essential to combat air support.
It was first used by VF-31 and VF-213 on their last cruise with the F-14 Tomcat in 2005 and 2006. Within days of the development teams arrival to the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) all F-14 Tomcats had complete ROVER capability. Before ROVER, ground controllers had to rely on "visual talk-ons" to hunt enemy ground forces and would use a map to guide pilots where they needed to go. A joint VF-31/VF-213 investigation revealed that it would be possible to modify the F-14D Super Tomcat with off-the-shelf technology for a mere 800 dollar per aircraft.
A team of F-14D experts from the PMA-241 staff at Naval Air Station Paxtuxet River was presented with this idea in early November 2005 and were able to research, develop and field this technology within a six-week window. Northrop Grumman employes from Naval Air Station Oceana and members of the fleet support team from Naval Air Systems Command Depot performed the aircraft modification.
External links
- [ROVER System Revolutionizes F-14's Ground Support Capability]
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