Not being familiar with terminology used by pilots and other Naval aviators, I'd like to know what exactly is meant by a "gun tape"? (To be more specific, this would be the 'gun tape' found typically in an F/A-18 E or F aircraft. )
I've thought it must be shorthand for 'gun camera tape', but what I've been able to find has me wondering if those may be completely different things. I get the impression that it's some kind of recording tape but that it doesn't require a gun actually being fired for this tape to be recording whatever it records.
So my question is: what does a 'gun tape' show? In particular, does it record any kind of video imagery or just information from other onboard instruments? And who typically would be responsible for turning it on (the pilot or WSO?), and what would be a typical scenario that would result in a 'gun tape'.
Thanks!
I've thought it must be shorthand for 'gun camera tape', but what I've been able to find has me wondering if those may be completely different things. I get the impression that it's some kind of recording tape but that it doesn't require a gun actually being fired for this tape to be recording whatever it records.
So my question is: what does a 'gun tape' show? In particular, does it record any kind of video imagery or just information from other onboard instruments? And who typically would be responsible for turning it on (the pilot or WSO?), and what would be a typical scenario that would result in a 'gun tape'.
Thanks!