IRST debate still open?

[tflash]

This is not my problem but Lockheed-Martin's. They contracted to "The IRST sensor system augments the aircrews’ critical ability to track and engage targets in dense threat environments. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

The passive IRST sensor system, used alone or in concert with existing F-15 sensors, provides the Warfighters unprecedented on-board situational awareness while detecting, identifying and engaging enemy targets at extended ranges. The IRST system’s high-angle accuracy also provides the ability to track closely-spaced targets at maximum ranges. This information can be used alone or combined with other sensor data to further enhance the pilot’s situational awareness. "

 

So, I do not know how "far" the integration goes, but I suppose it is meant for "dense threat environments, wheer plenty of jamming, noise etc. occurs in the radar wavelenghts. "

[RIPTIDE]

didnt misread anything, both the quote you made, and your posts are not missdirected.

 

Tflash, we are talking about single digit to low double digit miles range figures for electro optical devices, AESA's go into realm of triple digit range, how far (sorry for pun) does your notion of IRST with AESA integration go? ;)

This is future technology however. No one is interested in what is available now, within the context of the thread. Considering the technology used nowadays in both IR and ultravoilet Astronomy, Earth facing satellites, and how that technology has increased massively over the years I can see no reason why the constant miniturization of advanced optical/near-optical sensors, compounded by an exponential in processing power, won't lead to major impacts in the future of air combat.

[mvsgas]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fovYnhstEUE&NR=1