Good day! Can anyone tell me what is that cylinder between the port air intake and fuel tank? A friend took those photos this week at CYXY and was curious to know. Thanks much, cheers BCT

I asked that at an airshow a few years ago, but I forgot exactly what the pilot said, I think it was either a FLIR or a laser targeting system? He was intentionally a little vague.

Parked next to the F-18's at KGRB

If he told you the truth, he would have to kill you later.

It's a FLIR pod and that is a Canadian F-18.

That explains why it is looking sideways......

Yup, FLIR pod.

Looks like a Sniper Pod, a far cry better than the old nighthawk!

F.L.I.R. is such a dumb acronym. Since most are somewhat omini directional. Should be called O.I.R.P - Optical. In.frared. Pod

That close up of the FLIR pod got me thinking... since the USN replaced the Tomcat with the Superbug, did they ever adapt or re-design the TARPS technology used in the F-14 for the F/A-18E?

lowflybye wrote:It's a FLIR pod and that is a Canadian F-18.

Our stealthy fake cockpit canopy painted on the underside give it away?

avgas wrote:

lowflybye wrote:It's a FLIR pod and that is a Canadian F-18.

Our stealthy fake cockpit canopy painted on the underside give it away?

That, and the sliver of maple leaf under the right wing. Still, it was a good catch.

Dang that pic brings back memories. Many years ago I built/tested/trouble shot VAST and MiniVAST systems (Versatile Avionics Shop Test) before they were put aboard their perspective carrier or home base. Think of a bunch of refrigerator sized units filled with circuit boards and wire wrap buckets. These were built from the basic parts all the way through to the completed unit. F-18/FA-18 for both the US and Canadian users were the customers. Spent many a day be amazed at how technologically advanced the planes were at the time. This was back when computers were still somewhat novel for the general populous.
Amazing aircraft!!
Keith