IRIS-T

The IRIS-T (Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled) is a German-led program to develop a short-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.

IRIS-T
Mockup of the IRIS-T
TypeShort-range air-to-air missile
Place of originItaly, Germany, Sweden, Greece, Norway, Canada
Service history
In serviceDecember 2005
Used bySee operators
Production history
ManufacturerDiehl BGT Defence, Avio spa, Litton Italian, Leonardo spa [1]
Unit cost€380,000[2] (~US$430,000)
Specifications
Mass87.4 kg (193 lb)
Length2.9 m (9.5 ft)
Diameter127 mm (5.0 in)
WarheadHE/Fragmentation
Detonation
mechanism
Impact and active radar proximity fuse
EngineSolid-fuel rocket
Wingspan447 mm (17.6 in)
Operational
range
25 km (16 mi) [3]
Flight altitudeSea 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
Subassemblies of the IRIS-T
German Air Force airmen mount an IRIS-T to a Eurofighter

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.

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.

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.[4] 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.[5] In 1990 Germany withdrew from the ASRAAM project, while the UK resolved to find another seeker and develop ASRAAM according to the original requirements.[6]

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.[7]

Missile characteristics

In comparison to the AIM-9L Sidewinder, the IRIS-T has higher ECM-resistance and flare suppression.[8] Improvements in target discrimination not only allows for 5 to 8 times longer head-on firing range than the AIM-9L. 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.[9]

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.[10] This basic air-to-ground capability provides the ability to acquire, track and engage individual ground targets like boats/ships, small buildings and vehicles.[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.[12] 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]

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.[14] The German Air Force took first delivery of the missile on 5 December 2005.[15]

Workshare arrangements for IRIS-T development are:[16]

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

Variants

IDAS
Main article: IDAS (missile)

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.[17] The IRIS-T SL qualification tests were completed during January 2015 at the Denel Overberg Test Range in South Africa.[18] It is built in two variants IRIS-T SLS (short-range)[19] and IRIS-T SLM (medium-range).[20]

  • IRIS-T SL missile
  • IRIS-T SL launch system

SAM Version

The Swedish Army is fielding a ground launched version of the IRIS-T, designated RBS 98, to replace the RBS 70 missile system. Four missiles are carried on a special version of a Bv 410 tracked, armored vehicle.[21]

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 2018 to 2021 and the system will reuse NASAMS command and control and its network solutions, to create a "highly mobile, short-range air defence system".[22] The project includes six modified M113 vehicles carrying IRIS-T-missiles.[23]

A version with a Lockheed Martin command and control station and SAAB Giraffe 4A AESA radar was shown at IDEX 2019 under the name Falcon.[24]

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.[25]

Operators
Map with IRIS-T operators in blue

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

 Austria
25[26]
 Germany
1,250[26]
 Egypt
7 IRIS-T SLM land-based systems.[27]
 Greece
350[26]
 Italy
444 budget €217m, between 2003 and 2015.[28]
 Norway
150[29]
 Saudi Arabia
1,400[30]
 South Africa
25 missiles delivered. Interim armament for Saab JAS 39 Gripen aircraft until the completion of the A-Darter SRAAM project.[31][32]
 Spain
770 Original budget €247m, final cost €291m.[2]
 Sweden
450[26]
 Thailand
Ordered, 220 to be delivered.[29] Integrated with Northrop F-5 F-5T Saab Jas 39 Gripen Gripen C/D and F-16 eMLU .[33]

Future operators
 Brazil
For the new JAS 39 Gripen E/F variants.[34]
 South Korea
[35]

See also

References

Notes

    Citations
    1. http://typhoon.starstreak.net/common/AA/irist.html}
    2. "Evaluación de los Programas Especiales de Armamento (PEAs)" [Special armament programs evaluation] (PDF). Atenea (in Spanish). Madrid: Ministerio de Defensa. September 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 October 2013. Retrieved 30 September 2012.
    3. "Diehl Defence: IRIS-T, the short-distance missile of the latest generation". Diehl.com. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
    4. Menon, KB. "Evolution of the Air-To-Air Missiles: Options for the IAF". Retrieved 11 June 2014.
    5. "Locking range". Retrieved 11 June 2014.
    6. Arms and the State: Patterns of Military Production and Trade. Cambridge University Press. 25 August 1995. 253. ISBN 0521558662.
    7. Tirpak, John. "The Evolution of the Force". Retrieved 11 June 2014.
    8. "IRIS-T Guided Missile Family, Germany". Retrieved 11 June 2014.
    9. "IRIS-T Air-to-Air Guided Missile, Germany". Retrieved 11 June 2014.
    10. "Diehl develops air-to-surface capability for IRIS-T AAM". Retrieved 17 December 2016.
    11. "Diehl Press release: Royal Norwegian Air Force tested IRIS-T in air-to-ground mission". Retrieved 17 December 2016.
    12. "IRIS-T European Short Range Air-to-air Missile" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 June 2013. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
    13. "IRIS-T SL Surface-to-Air Guided Missile".
    14. "IRIS-T". Retrieved 13 June 2014.
    15. , 11 June 2014
    16. Archived 26 June 2014 at the Wayback Machine - typhoon.starstreak.net, 11 June 2014
    17. "IRIS-T Guided Missile Family IRIS-T SL". Retrieved 17 June 2014.
    18. "IRIS-T SL achieves qualification after successful firings at Overberg". defenceWeb. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
    19. "IRIS-T SLS – surface-launched, short-range guided missile". Diehl Defence. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
    20. "IRIS-T SLM". Deagel. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
    22. "Norway acquires Army Mobile Ground Based Air Defence". Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
    23. "For første gang på 14 år kan Hæren selv beskytte seg mot luftangrep". tu.no. 6 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
    24. https://defence-blog.com/army/lockheed-martin-led-team-revealed-details-of-new-falcon-air-defense-weapon-system.html
    25. http://www.janes.com/article/66304/diehl-develops-air-to-surface-capability-for-iris-t-aam
    26. "South Africa Orders IRIS-T Missiles". Defense industry daily. Retrieved 17 June 2014.
    27. "Federal Government approves arms exports to Gulf States". Rheinische Post. Retrieved 19 September 2018.
    28. "Nota Aggiuntiva allo stato di previsione per la Difesa per l'anno 2012" (PDF) (in Italian). Ministero delle Difesa. April 2012. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
    29. "Diehl Defence: IRIS-T, the short-distance missile of the latest generation". Diehl.com. Archived from the original on 30 March 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
    30. "Trade Registers". Armstrade.sipri.org. Retrieved 19 April 2014.
    31. "Sipri: Trade Registers". Portal.sipri.org. Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
    32. "SAAF maintaining IRIS-T". defenceWeb. 23 May 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
    33. https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/thai-f-5s-to-fight-on-with-iris-t-missiles-449537/
    34. "Conheça as armas do caça Saab Gripen E/F da FAB". Poder Aéreo (in Portuguese). 15 September 2017.
    35. http://www.airrecognition.com/index.php/archive-world-worldwide-news-air-force-aviation-aerospace-air-military-defence-industry/global-defense-security-news/global-news-2018/march/4148-south-korea-confirms-meteor-iris-t-integration-on-kf-x-fighter-jet.html

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