IRIS-T

The IRIS-T ("InfraRed Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled") is a medium range infrared homing missile available in both air-to-air and ground defence surface-to-air variants. It also is called AIM-2000.[5][6]

"Rb-98" redirects here. For the isotope of rubidium (Rb-98 or 98Rb), see Rubidium-98.
IRIS-T
Mockup of the IRIS-T
TypeShort-range air-to-air missile
Place of originItaly, Germany, Sweden, Greece, Norway, Spain
Service history
In serviceDecember 2005
Used bySee operators
WarsRusso-Ukrainian War
Production history
ManufacturerDiehl Defence, Avio spa, Litton Italia, Leonardo S.p.A.[1]
Unit cost€380,000[2] (~US$430,000)
€140 million (complete battery)[3]
Specifications
Mass87.4 kg (193 lb)
Length2.94 m (9.6 ft)[4]
Diameter127 mm (5.0 in)
Wingspan447 mm (17.6 in)
WarheadHE/Fragmentation
Detonation
mechanism
Impact and active radar proximity fuse
EngineSolid-fuel rocket
Operational
range
25 km (16 mi)[4]
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.

The missile was developed in the late 1990s–early 2000s by a German-led program to develop a short to medium range infrared homing air-to-air missile to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder in use by some NATO member countries at the time. A goal of the program was for any aircraft capable of firing the Sidewinder to also be capable of launching the IRIS-T.[7] The air-to-air variant was fielded in 2005.

Surface-to-air defence systems variants came later, with the short-range IRIS-T SLS fielded in 2015, and the medium-range IRIS-T SLM fielded in 2022. One IRIS-T SLM battery, as supplied by Germany to Ukraine, consists of three truck-mounted launchers, carrying eight missiles each (with a range of 40 kilometres or 25 miles), and a separate command vehicle that can be positioned up to 20 kilometres (12 mi) away. The command vehicle integrates multiple radar sources, and is able to launch and track all 24 missiles simultaneously. The IRIS-T SLM can counter surface-to-air missiles and cruise missiles, including low-flying, stealthy missiles such as the Kalibr.[8]

History
Subassemblies of the IRIS-T
German Air Force airmen mount an IRIS-T to a Eurofighter

Background

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 date back to 1968 when development began on the Hawker Siddeley SRAAM ("Taildog"). 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.

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.[9] 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.[10] In 1990, Germany withdrew from the ASRAAM project, while the UK resolved to find another seeker and develop ASRAAM according to the original range requirement[11] this ultimately led to the ASRAAM gaining a significantly more capable 128x128 focal array seeker with IRCCM (infrared counter counter measures) capability, similar performance and notably half the unit cost of the IRIS-T due to the development work that had already been completed on the missile body.

In 1987 after years of silence on the program the US proposed a requirement that the weapon must use Sidewinder rails rather than the universal aircraft rail adaptor named the Missile Support Unit that had been developed, this forced a one year delay as the British, German and Norwegian proposals were redesigned then in late 1990 after German Reunification and fearing erosion of its industrial base the US proposed it would choose the latest version of its existing Sidewinder design with increased maneuverability and IRCCM unless the European partners increased the US industrial workshare,[12] this program was designated AIM-9X.[13] The Sidewinder upgrade proposal however failed to interest the NATO buyers and in 1992 each ultimately went their separate ways with the UK the ASRAAM, France the MBDA Mica, US the AIM-9X and Germany elected to restart development on all but the seeker leading to the Iris-T.

Development

In 1995, Germany announced the start of the IRIS-T development, 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 in December 2005.[15]

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.

Missile characteristics

In comparison to the AIM-9M Sidewinder, the IRIS-T has higher ECM-resistance and flare suppression.[16] Improvements in target discrimination allow for 5 to 8 times longer head-on firing range than the AIM-9M. It can engage targets behind the launching aircraft, made possible by extreme close-in agility, allowing turns of 60 g at a rate of 60°/s via thrust vectoring and LOAL capability.[17][4]

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 fuze.[18]

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 a 360° defence capability.[19][4] Surface launched variants of the IRIS-T, the IRIS-T SLS and IRIS-T SLM, have enhanced capabilities to destroy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship missiles, anti-radar rockets and large-calibre rockets. They have a high probability of a killing shot against UAVs and other small manoeuvring threats at very-short and medium-range distances.[20]

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.[21] This basic air-to-ground capability provides the ability to acquire, track and engage individual ground targets like boats, ships, small buildings and vehicles.[22]

Variants

IDAS
Main article: IDAS (missile)

The IDAS variant is a navalized version of the missile, and 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.

  • A model of the IDAS
    A model of the IDAS
  • An IDAS and a Barracuda torpedo at the TechDemo'08 Exhibition, 2008
    An IDAS and a Barracuda torpedo at the TechDemo'08 Exhibition, 2008

Ground-to-air
Wikimedia Commons has media related to IRIS-T SAM.

As a part of the NATO MEADS program, the German Air Force and others are now using 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 a GPS-aided inertial navigation system, with radar data link for command guidance during the initial approach. The interference-resistant IR seeker head is activated at the terminal stage.[23][24]

Compared to the IRIS-T, the diameter of the rocket motor was increased by 25 mm, to 152 mm. Test launches from a battery consisting of a CEA CEAFAR radar, a Diehl IRIS-T SL launcher and an Oerlikon Skymaster battle management system were performed in 2014.[25] The IRIS-T SL qualification tests were completed in January 2015 at the Denel Overberg Test Range in South Africa.[26]

By 2022, two variants were available: IRIS-T SLS (short-range) with 12 km range and altitude and IRIS-T SLM (medium range) with 40 km range and 20 km maximum altitude. A third variant, IRIS-T SLX (long range) variant with a dual-mode (IR and RF) seeker, a range of 80 km and a maximum altitude of 30 km, is in development as of April 2022.[27][28] Operational testing of the IRIS-T SLM was completed in January 2022.[29]

  • An IRIS-T SL missile
    An IRIS-T SL missile
  • A Bv 410 with Giraffe 1X radar and Diehl ML-98 IRIS-T SLS launcher
    A Bv 410 with Giraffe 1X radar and Diehl ML-98 IRIS-T SLS launcher
  • A MAN SX44 6x6 7-ton IRIS-T SL launcher
    A MAN SX44 6x6 7-ton IRIS-T SL launcher
  • A MAN SX45 8x8 10-ton IRIS-T SLM launcher
    A MAN SX45 8x8 10-ton IRIS-T SLM launcher
  • A MAN SX45 8x8 10-ton IRIS-T SLM launcher rear
    A MAN SX45 8x8 10-ton IRIS-T SLM launcher rear
  • A Hensoldt TRML-4D radar
    A Hensoldt TRML-4D radar
  • A CEA CEAFAR (GBMMR) radar
    A CEA CEAFAR (GBMMR) radar
  • The Thales Ground Master 200 MM/C radar
    The Thales Ground Master 200 MM/C radar
  • A Hensoldt TwInvis passive radar
    A Hensoldt TwInvis passive radar

In 2019, 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.[30][31]

The Norwegian Army ordered the "Mobile Ground Based Air Defence System", based on NASAMS command and control solutions, in a direct acquisition with Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.[32] The system will integrate tracked IRIS-T SLS launchers from Diehl Defence GmbH with High Mobility Launchers for AIM-120 and AIM-9X missiles and radars from Weibel Scientific; initial delivery is planned for 2023 and will include six modified M113 vehicles carrying IRIS-T SLS missiles, while additional launchers will be based on the ACSV.[33].

IRIS-T SLM can be integrated with a variety of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) guidance systems and AESA radars, such as Hensoldt TRML-4D, Thales Ground Master 200 MM/C, CEA CEAFAR, and Saab Giraffe 4A.[18] A version with a Lockheed-Martin Skykeeper command and control station,[34] Giraffe 4A radar and Diehl IRIS-T SLM launcher was shown at IDEX 2019 under the name Falcon Ground Based Air Defence.[35][36][37]

Egypt ordered Diehl IRIS-T SLM launchers, Hensoldt TRML-4D radars, and fire and control stations equipped with Airbus Defence Fortion IBMS[38] integrated battle management software, all mounted on MAN 8×8 military trucks; the deal was approved by the German government in December 2021.[39] Further orders includes Hensoldt TwInvis passive radars,[40][41] IRIS-T SLS launchers and IRIS-T SLX long-range missiles.[42][43][27] Passive radars can detect enemy aircraft by analysing reflections from external radio and television signals, making them effective in urban areas where active radars struggle .[44]

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.[45]

Operational usage
IRIS-T system deployed in Ukraine

It is unclear whether the IRIS-T has shot down a Kh-101 cruise missile. On 19 October 2022, Ukrainian sources stated that a Russian missile was shot down with the help of an IRIS-T air defense system, in Chernihiv Oblast, thirty kilometers from Kyiv. Photos of the wreckage of a IRIS-T missile were shared on social media, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that IRIS-T "is a really effective system" and "has shown itself very well", there was no evidence that the German IRIS-T SLM shot down that particular missile, and some Ukrainian sources stated that it had been shot down with a different system.[46]

Following a Russian missile attack against Ukraine on 31 October 2022, Ukrainian Air Force stated that IRIS-T missiles had a 100% success rate when countering the attack.[47]

On 15 November footage appeared, which appears to show the downing of two cruise missiles within seconds by an IRIS-T system. One appears to be a Kalibr cruise missile.[48][49]

Operators
  Current operators
  Future operators

The following operators are listed and defined as of October 2022.

 Austria
25[50]
 Brazil
IRIS-T missiles for the new Saab JAS 39 Gripen E/F variants.[51][52]
 Egypt
7 IRIS-T SLM ground-based air defense systems ordered in 2018.[53] Further order of 400 SLM missiles, 6 IRIS-T SLS systems and 10 IRIS-T SLX systems was approved in December 2021.[39][54]
 Germany
1,250 missiles[50]
 Greece
350 IRIS-T missiles[50]
 Italy
444 IRIS-T missiles budget €217m, between 2003 and 2015.[55]
 Norway
150 IRIS-T missiles[56]
 Saudi Arabia
1,400 IRIS-T missiles[57]
 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.[58][59]
 Spain
770 IRIS-T missiles. Original budget €247m, final cost €291m.[2]
 Sweden
450 IRIS-T missiles, designated Jaktrobotsystem 98 (jrbs 98).[50] IRIS-T SLS variant used in ground-based air defense systems.
 Thailand
220 IRIS-T missiles ordered.[56] to be integrated with F-5T, Gripen C/D, and F-16 eMLU.[60]

 Ukraine: 4 IRIS-T SLM Systems delivered from Germany [2 delivered from October 2022 onwards]. On 13 May 2023 the Germany Defence Ministry announced four more systems would be sent to Ukraine.[61][62]

Future operators
 Hungary
IRIS-T integration for Hungarian Saab JAS 39 Gripen MS20 Block II modernization program was ordered in December 2021.[63]
 South Korea
IRIS-T integration for the KF-X fighter program was ordered in 2018.[64] With the first test firing taking place in April 2023.[65]

See also

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