avia.wikisort.org - Weapon

The IRIS-T ("InfraRed Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled") is a German-led program to develop a short to medium range infrared homing air-to-air missile to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder found in some NATO member countries. Any aircraft capable of firing the Sidewinder is also capable of launching the IRIS-T.[4]

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IRIS-T
Mockup of the IRIS-T
Type	Short-range air-to-air missile
Place of origin	Italy, Germany, Sweden, Greece, Norway, Spain
Service history
In service	December 2005
Used by	See operators
Production history
Manufacturer	Diehl Defence, Avio spa, Litton Italian, Leonardo S.p.A.[1]
Unit cost	€380,000[2] (~US$430,000)
Specifications
Mass	87.4 kg (193 lb)
Length	2.94 m (9.6 ft)[3]
Diameter	127 mm (5.0 in)
Warhead	HE/Fragmentation
Detonation mechanism	Impact and active radar proximity fuse
Engine	Solid-fuel rocket
Wingspan	447 mm (17.6 in)
Operational range	25 km (16 mi)[3]
Flight altitude	Sea level to 20,000 m (66,000 ft)
Maximum speed	Mach 3
Guidance system	Infrared homing
Launch platform	Typhoon, Tornado, F-4, F-16, NASAMS, Gripen, F/A-18.

History

In the 1980s, NATO countries signed a Memorandum of Agreement that the United States would develop a medium-range air-to-air missile to replace the AIM-7 Sparrow, while the UK and Germany would develop a short-range air-to-air missile to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The US design developed as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, while the UK-German design developed as the AIM-132 ASRAAM.^{[citation needed]}

The roots of the ASRAAM dated back to 1968 when development began on the Hawker Siddeley SRAAM ('Taildog'), but this project ended in 1974 with no production orders. This work was dusted off for the UK/German effort, with the Germans providing a new seeker, and the UK providing most of the remaining components. In the intervening time, the need for high maneuverability was downgraded in favor of greater range.^{[citation needed]}

After German reunification in 1990, Germany found itself with large stockpiles of the Soviet Vympel R-73 missiles (NATO reporting name: AA-11 Archer) carried by the MiG-29 Fulcrum and concluded that the AA-11's capabilities had been noticeably underestimated.[5] In particular, it was found to be both far more maneuverable, and far more capable in terms of seeker acquisition and tracking than the latest AIM-9 Sidewinder.[6] In 1990 Germany withdrew from the ASRAAM project, while the UK resolved to find another seeker and develop ASRAAM according to the original requirements.[7]

In late 1990, the US partnership expressed similar concerns and embarked on an upgrade to the existing Sidewinder design to provide increased maneuverability and IRCCM (infrared counter counter measures) performance, i.e. measures to counter infrared countermeasures (IRCM). This program was designated AIM-9X.[8]

Missile characteristics

In comparison to the AIM-9M Sidewinder, the IRIS-T has higher ECM-resistance and flare suppression.[9] Improvements in target discrimination allow for 5 to 8 times longer head-on firing range than the AIM-9M. It can also engage targets behind the launching aircraft, the latter made possible by the extreme close-in agility allowing turns of 60 g at a rate of 60°/s via thrust vectoring and LOAL capability.[10][3]

The IRIS-T is able to intercept fast-moving and miniature targets, such as air-to-air/surface-to-air missiles and air-to-surface/surface-to-surface missiles and rockets, UAV/drones, and cruise missiles; to improve the probability of a direct hit, the missile is equipped with an active radar proximity sensor.[11]

In addition, the IRIS-T has the unique ability, in comparison to other similar missiles such as the AIM-9X, to target and shoot down other air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles thus offering 360° defence capability.[12][3] In fact, a surface launched variant of the IRIS-T, the IRIS-T SL, actually has even further enhanced capabilities capable of destroying aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship missiles, anti-radar rockets and large-calibre rockets. It also has high probability of a killing shot against UAVs and other small maneuvering threats at very-short and medium-range distances.[13]

The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) has tested a new air-to-surface capability developed by Diehl BGT Defence for the IRIS-T. A proof of concept test firing to acquire, track, and engage a target representing a small fast attack boat was conducted in Norway in September 2016, where the IRIS-T missile was launched from an RNoAF F-16AM multirole aircraft. For the air-to-surface role, the missile retains the same standard IRIS-T AAM hardware configuration, including the HE warhead and IIR guidance package, with only an updated software insertion required to deliver the additional ground attack capability.[14] This basic air-to-ground capability provides the ability to acquire, track and engage individual ground targets like boats/ships, small buildings and vehicles.[15]

Development partners

In 1995, Germany announced the IRIS-T development program, in collaboration with Greece, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Canada. Canada later dropped out, while in 2003 Spain joined as a partner for procurement.[16] The German Air Force took first delivery of the missile on 5 December 2005.[17]

The respective share of the development of the IRIS-T are:[1]

• Germany 46%
• Italy 19%
• Sweden 18%
• Greece 13%
• 4% split between Canada and Norway.

Variants

IDAS

The IDAS variant is a navalized version of the missile, is also being developed for the new Type 212A submarine of the German Navy. IDAS is supposed to engage air threats, small or medium surface vessels or near land targets.

• 
  Model of IDAS
• 
  IDAS and Barracuda torpedo on TechDemo'08 Exhibition, 2008

IRIS-T SL

Within the MEADS program, the German Air Force plans to integrate a surface-launched (SL) radar-guided version of the missile, called IRIS-T SL. It has a pointed nose, unlike the regular IRIS-T, with a jettisonable drag-reducing nose cone. The missile uses GPS-based inertial navigation system and radar data link for command guidance during the initial approach, while the interference-resistant IR seeker head is activated at the terminal stage.[18][19] Compared to the IRIS-T, diameter of the rocket motor is increased to 152 mm. The IRIS-T SL qualification tests were completed during January 2015 at the Denel Overberg Test Range in South Africa.[20]

Two variants are available, IRIS-T SLS (short-range) and IRIS-T SLM (medium range); IRIS-T SLX (long range) variant with dual-mode seeker is in development as of April 2022.[21] Operational testing of IRIS-T SLM was completed in January 2022.[22]

• 
  IRIS-T SL missile
• 
  Bv 410 and Diehl ML-98 IRIS-T SLS launcher
• 
  MAN SX44 6x6 7-ton IRIS-T SL launcher
• 
  MAN SX45 8x8 10-ton IRIS-T SLM launcher
• 
  MAN SX45 8x8 10-ton IRIS-T SLM launcher rear
• 
  Ground Master 200 MM/C radar
• 
  Hensoldt TRML-3D radar
• 
  Hensoldt TwInvis passive radar

The Swedish Army fielded a ground launched version of the IRIS-T SLS, designated Luftvärnsrobotsystem 98 (lvrbs 98), to replace the RBS 70 missile system. Four missiles are carried on Eldenhet 98 (elde 98) launcher, a special version of a Bv 410 tracked, armored vehicle, with SAAB Giraffe 1X electronically scanned radar integrated in the front car.[23][24]

The Norwegian Army has decided to acquire a "Mobile Ground Based Air Defence System" in a direct acquisition with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. The deliveries are planned for 2023 and based on Iris-T launchers from Diehl Defence GmbH and radars from Weibel Scientific A/S.[25] The system will reuse NASAMS command and control and its network solutions, to create a "highly mobile, short-range air defence system".[26] Initial delivery will include six modified M113 vehicles carrying IRIS-T SLS missiles; additional launchers will be based on the ACSV.[25]

IRIS-T SLM can be integrated with a variety of AESA radars, such as Hensoldt TRML-4D, Thales Ground Master 200 MM/C, CEA CEAFAR, and SAAB Giraffe 4A.[11] A version with a Lockheed-Martin Skykeeper command and control station,[27] Giraffe 4A radar and Diehl IRIS-T SLM launcher was shown at IDEX 2019 under the name Falcon Ground Based Air Defence.[28][29][30]

Egypt ordered Diehl IRIS-T SLM launchers, Hendsoldt TRML-4D radars, and fire and control stations equipped with Airbus Defence Fortion IBMS[31] integrated battle management software, all mounted on MAN 8×8 military trucks; the deal was approved by the German government in December 2021.[32] Further orders includes Hensoldt TwInvis [de] passive radars,[33][34] IRIS-T SLS launchers and IRIS-T SLX long-range missiles.[35][36][21] Passive radars can detect enemy aircraft by analysing reflections from external radio and television signals, making them effective in urban areas where active radars are struggling.[37]

Air-to-ground

For the air-to-surface role, the only difference from air-to-air version is an updated software insertion required to deliver the additional ground attack capability. Tested by Royal Norwegian Air Force.[38]

Operators

The following operators are listed and defined as of July 2008.

 Austria

25[39]

 Brazil

IRIS-T missiles for the new Saab JAS 39 Gripen E/F variants.[40][41]

 Egypt

7 IRIS-T SLM ground-based air defense systems ordered in 2018.[42] Further order of 400 SLM missiles, 6 IRIS-T SLS systems and 10 IRIS-T SLX systems was approved in December 2021.[32][43]

 Germany

1,250[39]

 Greece

350 IRIS-T missiles[39]

 Italy

444 IRIS-T missiles^{[citation needed]} budget €217m, between 2003 and 2015.[44]

 Norway

150 IRIS-T missiles[45]

 Saudi Arabia

1,400 IRIS-T missiles[46]

 South Africa

25 IRIS-T missiles delivered as interim armament for Saab JAS 39 Gripen aircraft until the completion of the A-Darter SRAAM project.[47][48]

 Spain

770 IRIS-T missiles. Original budget €247m, final cost €291m.[2]

 Sweden

450 IRIS-T missiles, designated Jaktrobotsystem 98 (jrbs 98).[39] IRIS-T SLS variant used in ground-based air defense systems.

 Thailand

220 IRIS-T missiles ordered.[45] to be integrated with Northrop F-5 F-5T Saab Jas 39 Gripen Gripen C/D and F-16 eMLU .[49]

Future operators

 Hungary

IRIS-T integration for Hungarian Saab JAS 39 Gripen MS20 Block II modernization program was ordered in December 2021.[50]

 South Korea

IRIS-T integration for the KF-X fighter program was ordered in 2018.[51]

 Ukraine

Germany has pledged to supply Ukraine with IRIS-T SL ground-based air-defense systems.[52][53][54][55]

See also

• A-Darter
• AAM-5
• AIM-9X Sidewinder
• ASRAAM
• MICA
• PL-10
• Python 5
• R-73

References

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

• Bonds, Ray ed. The Modern US War Machine. New York City: Crown Publishers, 1989. ISBN 0-517-68802-6.

External links

• Official website

На других языках

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[de] IRIS-T

Die IRIS-T (Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled) ist ein Luft-Luft-Lenkflugkörper mit Infrarotsuchkopf für den Nah- und Nächstbereich. Er wurde von Deutschland zusammen mit sechs Staaten entwickelt, federführend bei der Entwicklung war Diehl BGT Defence. Die IRIS-T galt Mitte der 2000er als eine der fortschrittlichsten Kurzstreckenraketen der Welt und ermöglicht es dem Eurofighter Typhoon, Luftziele rund um das Flugzeug zu bekämpfen, ohne sich in Abschussposition manövrieren zu müssen.[1][2]

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- [en] IRIS-T

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[fr] IRIS-T

L’AIM-2000 IRIS-T est un programme européen piloté par l’Allemagne visant à développer un missile air-air de courte portée à guidage infrarouge pour prendre la relève de l’AIM-9 Sidewinder, conçu dans les années 1950 et toujours utilisé par plusieurs pays membres de l’organisation du traité de l’Atlantique Nord (OTAN). Dans ce but, l’IRIS-T est conçu pour être embarqué et tiré depuis tout avion capable de mettre en œuvre l’AIM-9.

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[it] IRIS-T

IRIS-T (acronimo di Infra Red Imaging System Tail-Thrust Vector Controlled) è un tipo di missile aria-aria a corto raggio che utilizza un sistema di rilevamento e inseguimento del bersaglio mediante una cellula all'infrarosso. Questo tipo di missile è destinato a sostituire l'AIM-9L/M Sidewinder. Il missile incorpora una telecamera ad infrarossi con inquadratura variabile con ± 90 gradi di capacità. Il sensore infrarosso ad immagine della telecamera "vede" l'obbiettivo (in maniera simile ad una videocamera digitale) ed è in grado di discriminare tra la sagoma di un aeroplano ed una fonte puntiforme di calore come un flare.

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[ru] IRIS-T

IRIS-T (англ. Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled) — ракета класса «воздух-воздух» малой дальности, оснащённая охлаждаемой инфракрасной головкой самонаведения. Разработка велась под руководством Германии кооперацией из 6 стран-участниц, в качестве замены AIM-9 Sidewinder. По конструкции и компоновке IRIS-T очень близка к японской Тип 04 AAM-5.

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