ARA=Airborne Radar Approach
It's like a ASR but the navigator tells the pilots when to turn. The air traffic controller lets the nav be the controller when he says, "Cleared for the ARA to XX Runway." The C-130 Navigator finds the airfield on radar and draws a Center Line Fix to the outer marker and beyond. In training, the crews normally have an approach chart drawn locally by the unit, it looks/feels just like a VOR straight-in. Then he tells the pilots when to turn, stop turn, descent profiles. The approach minimums are usually that of a non-proc approach (500 HAA and 3 miles). We used to only be able to do them VFR, but technically you could use them to land on a highway in the desert like all of the Middle East or some unsecure airfield in some Sh$thole-stan in the middle east. The C-130 Navigator's are unlike any others in their field. The back up the pilots on all flights. They map read on low levels, time and distance, threat avoidance, and chaff/flare back-up for surface to air missles, timing for airdrops of men and equipment. They used to have to navigate by Celestial across the ocean, just like Magellan. That was before GPS. Some are pretty good at navigating by the stars. Usually within 2-5 miles. Not bad after flying across the pond.
All in all, the navigator is a great tool for the C-130 crew. I wouldn't leave the USA without one. Saved my a$$ more times than I can remember, on and off the plane.
Hope this helps.
