IRIS-T
The IRIS-T (infrared imaging system tail/thrust vector-controlled) is a medium range infrared homing air-to-air missile available in both air-to-air and ground defence surface-to-air variants. It also is called AIM-2000.
| 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 |
| Wars | Russo-Ukrainian War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Diehl Defence, Avio spa, Litton Italia, Leonardo S.p.A. |
| Unit cost | €140 million (complete battery, FY 2022) €380,000 (~US$430,000) for a missile |
| No. built | > 5,000 (as of December 2023) |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 87.4 kg (193 lb) |
| Length | 2.94 m (9.6 ft) |
| Diameter | 127 mm (5.0 in) |
| Wingspan | 447 mm (17.6 in) |
| Warhead | HE/fragmentation |
Detonation mechanism | Impact and active radar proximity fuse |
| Engine | Solid-fuel rocket |
Operational range | 25 km (16 mi) |
| Flight altitude | Sea level to 20,000 m (66,000 ft) |
| Maximum speed | Mach 3 |
Guidance system | Infrared homing / radar homing (IRIS-T SLX) |
Launch platform | Air-to-air: EF-18, F-4 AUP, F-5 Super Tigris, F-16, Gripen, M-346, Tornado, Typhoon Ground-to-air: IRIS-T SLS, IRIS-T SLM, IRIS-T SLX, NASAMS-3 |
The missile was developed in the late 1990s–early 2000s by a German-led program to produce 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. 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.