IRIS-T

Infobox Weapon
is_missile=yes
name=IRIS-T


caption=1:1 model of the IRIS-T
origin=
type=Air-to-air missile
used_by=
manufacturer=Diehl BGT Defence
unit_cost=400,000 €
propellant=
production_date=
service=December 2005
engine=Solid-fuel rocket
engine_power=
weight=87.4 kg
length=2936 mm
height=
diameter=127 mm
wingspan=447 mm
speed=Mach 3
vehicle_range=~25 km
ceiling=
altitude=Sea level to 20,000 m
filling=HE/Fragmentation
guidance=Infrared
detonation=Impact and active radar proximity fuze
launch_platform=Users:
*: Typhoon, Tornado, F-4
*: F-16, F-4
*: Typhoon
*: F-16
*: Gripen
*: Typhoon
*: F-18, Typhoon

IRIS-T (Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled) is a German-led program to develop a short-range air-to-air missile to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder. Any aircraft capable of carrying and firing Sidewinder is capable of launching IRIS-T.

History

In the 1980s, West Germany was a partner with the United Kingdom in the ASRAAM program with responsibility for seeker development. But after German reunification in 1990, Germany found itself with large stockpiles of the Russian 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 under-estimated. In particular, it was found to be both far more manoeuvrable, and far more capable in terms of seeker acquisition and tracking than the latest AIM-9 Sidewinder. These conclusions led Germany to question certain aspects of the design of ASRAAM related to the airframe which was a British responsibility. Of particular concern was the lack of thrust vectoring to aid manoeuvrability in close in air combat. When these concerns were raised, Germany and Britain could not come to an agreement about the design of ASRAAM, so in 1990 Germany withdrew from the ASRAAM project while Britain resolved to find another seeker and develop ASRAAM according to the original requirements.

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

Development partners

In 1995, Germany announced the IRIS-T development program, in collaboration with Greece, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Canada. Canada later dropped out.

Workshare arrangements for IRIS-T development are:
* Germany 46%
* Italy 19%
* Sweden 18%
* Greece 13%
* 4% split between Canada and Norway.

In 2003 Spain joined as a partner for procurement.

The Luftwaffe took first delivery of the missile on the 5th of December 2005.

Variants

IDAS

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

IRIS-T SL / SLS

Within the MEADS program, the Luftwaffe plans to integrate a land-launched radar-guided version of the missile, called IRIS-T SL / IRIS-T SLS, into this program for the Bundeswehr's future SysFla project in combination with the German Army's LFK NG missile, also produced by Diehl BGT Defence.

Combat performance

High ECM-Resistance, target discrimination and flare suppression and extreme close-in fight capability (60 "g", 60°/s) and 5 to 8 times longer head-on firing range than Sidewinder AIM-9L. Even targets behind the launching aircraft can be destroyed successfully by IRIS-T.

Orders

; DEU: 1,250 ; ESP: 700; GRE: 350; AUT: 25 ; SWE:; NOR:; ITA: 450; BEL: 500; NED: 500; ZAF:

See also

*MBDA MICA
*R550 Magic
*AIM-9 Sidewinder
*ASRAAM
*Shafrir
*

External links

* [http://www.diehl-bgt.de/index.php?id=561&L=1 IRIS-T on the Homepage of German developer and manufacturer Diehl BGT Defence]