Telescopic Sighting System

TESS (TElescopic Sighting System) panel mounted periscope between front and rear cockpit on a Royal Air Force F-4 Phantom II

The Telescopic Sighting System (TESS) was a sight used on the FV4201 Chieftain tank[1] and RAF F-4 Phantom aircraft.[2]

Usage

The TESS was trialed and introduced in the early 1980s originally as a tank sight for the FV4201 Chieftain. Surplus stocks were used on F-4 Phantom aircraft operated by the Royal Air Force as a cost-saving measure for a long range daytime target identification device, whereas the United States Air Force used the TISEO on their F-4 Phantoms. The TESS was installed in the rear cockpit in the centre window section for the Radar Intercept Officer to use.[3] It was boresighted to the aircraft weapons system and when locked on target, the target was magnified six times.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ "TESS :: David Gledhill". www.david-gledhill.co.uk.
  2. ^ "The Way of the J. – British Phantom Aviation Group".
  3. ^ "ON THE FRONT LINE: RAF GERMANY PHANTOMS". www.key.aero. September 21, 2017.
  4. ^ "McDonnell Douglas F-4J(UK) Phantom II Aircraft Data". airfighters.com. Retrieved 2024-01-03.