At long last, the F-22 jet fighter could get the infrared search and track air-search sensor it was promised
HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – The U.S. Air Force has kicked off plans to integrate an infrared search and track (IRST) sensor on the stealthy F-22 Raptor jet fighter. The Drive reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
20 Jan. 2022 -- The F-22 originally was to have an infrared sensor, which is passive and immune to electronic warfare (EW) jamming, to detect and track other aircraft at long ranges. This plan ultimately was dropped on cost grounds. Now, the service is at least looking at ways to insert the capability back into the jet.
One of the items in a document newly released under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program calls for submissions related to an apparent new IRST capability for the F-22, among other new upgrade requirements.
The same document also asks industry for F-22 cyber intrusion detection and prevention; predictive maintenance; synthetic data generation; sensor fusion; improved radar; manned-unmanned teaming; pilot-assisted autonomy; alternative navigation to GPS; Scorpion helmet-mounted display; Red Air threat replication application; optimized intercept; real-time debriefing; and combat identification.
John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
