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.

History

In the 1980s, Germany was a partner with the UK in the ASRAAM program. But after German reunification, Germany found itself with large stockpiles of the AA-11 Archer 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. These conclusions led Germany to question certain aspects of the design of ASRAAM, particularly the lack of thrust vectoring to aid manoeuvrability. Germany and Britain could not come to an agreement about the design of ASRAAM, so in 1990 Germany therefore withdrew from the ASRAAM project; Britain continued alone to produce and procure ASRAAM.

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%
• remainder split between Canada and Norway.

In 2003 Spain joined as a partner for procurement.

Notes

Any aircraft capable of carrying and firing Sidewinder will be capable of launching IRIS-T.

Inventory

Combat performance

Extreme close-in fight capability (60g, 60°/s) and 5 to 8 times longer head-on firing range than Sidewinder AIM -9L

See also

• MBDA MICA
• R550 Magic
• IRIS-T
• AIM-9_Sidewinder
• ASRAAM
• List of missiles

See also: List of missiles