Group : Mapping Systems
Status : Active
Also Known As : Theatre Airborne Reconnaissance System
Origin : United States of America
Contractor : Lockheed Martin
Initial Operational Capability (IOC) : 2004
Total Production : ?

The Theatre Airborne Reconnaissance System (TARS) Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a reconnaissance all weather, day and night, precision radar developed for tactical aircraft. TARS SAR is available as a podded sensor suite for installation in a wide range of tactical aircraft. The system can receive, process and disseminate critical targeting information in real-time, utilizing a solid state digital system to record imagery, an airborne data-link to electronically relay information to ground stations and a SAR capable of locating targets anytime day or night in all weather conditions.

The TARS SAR high resolution has been tested by operational US Air Force F-16 at Edwards Air Force Base, California, since late September 2004. The US Air Force will access real-time targeting, real-time battle damage assessment, and real-time reconnaissance through this advanced sensor aboard tactical aircraft such as F-16. TARS SAR will ultimately support US Air Force network centric operations.