TWO HEAVILY MODIFIED US Army de Havilland RC-7B airborne reconnaissance aircraft have been deployed for operations in South Korea.
The aircraft have been fitted with the Crazy Hawk ARL-M (airborne-radar low-multi-function) radar system derived from the Hughes-made HiSAR high-resolution ground-mapping radar.
In conjunction with California Microwave, the two companies installed the system and integrated the ground moving-target indicator/synthetic-aperture system before handing the aircraft back to the US Army.
The aircraft provide image, communications and signal intelligence and will replace Grumman OV-1 Mohawks, which are now being retired.
The aircraft will be deployed some way south of the 38th parallel and the crew will still be able to conduct detailed intelligence-gathering missions clear of the area north of South Korea's border with North Korea.
Source: Flight International