Aerial observer
Encyclopedia
Aerial Observer- Air Force Reconnaissance
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An Aerial Observer is the functional position of gathering information visually from an airborne platform for use by military or commercial purposes. This history started when the first balloons were flown in Europe. In the early twentieth century it developed with the invention of biplanes and mono-winged aircraft.
During World War I and II there was a tremendous amount of intelligence gathered through these means. These crewmembers would use optical and photographic means to record their observations.
In the Vietnam War
, aerial observers also might be Forward Air Controllers (FACs). These O-1 Bird Dog, O-2 Skymaster
and OV-10 Bronco
pilots would slowly fly over an area and direct bombing by radio to fast moving jet aircraft.
Observer is the Royal Navy
's term for its Fleet Air Arm
navigator/radar/weapons system operators, both in two seat fixed wing combat aircraft such as the Sea Vixen and F4K Phantom
and anti-submarine helicopters such as the Westland Lynx
. The US Navy's equivalent is the radar intercept officer (RIO).
Although today sometimes a manned aircraft is still utilized, industry and the military use both satellites and remotely piloted vehicles (RPV
) for this function.
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
.
An Aerial Observer is the functional position of gathering information visually from an airborne platform for use by military or commercial purposes. This history started when the first balloons were flown in Europe. In the early twentieth century it developed with the invention of biplanes and mono-winged aircraft.
During World War I and II there was a tremendous amount of intelligence gathered through these means. These crewmembers would use optical and photographic means to record their observations.
In the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, aerial observers also might be Forward Air Controllers (FACs). These O-1 Bird Dog, O-2 Skymaster
O-2 Skymaster
The O-2 Skymaster is a military version of the Cessna 337 Super Skymaster utilized as an observation and forward air control aircraft...
and OV-10 Bronco
OV-10 Bronco
The North American Aviation Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is a turboprop light attack and observation aircraft. It was developed in the 1960s as a special aircraft for counter-insurgency combat, and one of its primary missions was as a forward air control aircraft...
pilots would slowly fly over an area and direct bombing by radio to fast moving jet aircraft.
Observer is the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
's term for its Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
navigator/radar/weapons system operators, both in two seat fixed wing combat aircraft such as the Sea Vixen and F4K Phantom
F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is a tandem two-seat, twin-engined, all-weather, long-range supersonic jet interceptor fighter/fighter-bomber originally developed for the United States Navy by McDonnell Aircraft. It first entered service in 1960 with the U.S. Navy. Proving highly adaptable,...
and anti-submarine helicopters such as the Westland Lynx
Westland Lynx
The Westland Lynx is a British multi-purpose military helicopter designed and built by Westland Helicopters at its factory in Yeovil. Originally intended as a utility craft for both civil and naval usage, military interest led to the development of both battlefield and naval variants...
. The US Navy's equivalent is the radar intercept officer (RIO).
Although today sometimes a manned aircraft is still utilized, industry and the military use both satellites and remotely piloted vehicles (RPV
RPV
RPV may mean:* Rancho Palos Verdes* Reactor pressure vessel* Remotely Piloted Vehicle* Republican Party of Virginia...
) for this function.