Airborne Infra-Red Search & Track (IRST)

[pmaidhof]

Ok gang,

 

While discussing the effects of offensive electronic jamming, and possible air defenses last night in chat - up came the topic of IRST. After reading the very brief passage toward the end of "Detection" (Chapter 4 of H4.1) I was able to gleen that IRST's are relatively short ranged, and that there are multiple generations, 1-3, with increasing passive detection capabilities with each.

 

Can anyone point me to where the actually game effects can be found, primarily at what range does the generational IRST detect other objects.

 

Thanks again,

 

Pete

[CV32]

Ok gang,

While discussing the effects of offensive electronic jamming, and possible air defenses last night in chat - up came the topic of IRST. After reading the very brief passage toward the end of "Detection" (Chapter 4 of H4.1) I was able to gleen that IRST's are relatively short ranged, and that there are multiple generations, 1-3, with increasing passive detection capabilities with each. Can anyone point me to where the actually game effects can be found, primarily at what range does the generational IRST detect other objects.

Thanks again,

Pete

 

The MiG-29's IRST (OEPS-29, iirc) comes to mind. The range figure I've seen most often tossed about for this system is 10 nm.

[pmaidhof]

The MiG-29's IRST (OEPS-29, iirc) comes to mind. The range figure I've seen most often tossed about for this system is 10 nm.

What generation might that be so I can swag some others given the fact that the Yahoo AT group has apparently hit the "horse latitudes" of summer.

 

Thanks

[pmaidhof]

of interest

 

Gives a bunch of designations with affiliated aircraft.

[CV32]

The MiG-29's IRST (OEPS-29, iirc) comes to mind. The range figure I've seen most often tossed about for this system is 10 nm.

What generation might that be so I can swag some others given the fact that the Yahoo AT group has apparently hit the "horse latitudes" of summer.

Thanks

 

H4 assigns a 2nd Gen rating to the MiG-29's IRST. (I should add that the OEPS designation refers to the whole "complex", including the laser rangefinder, and not just the IRST portion). The MiG-23ML also has an IRST (TP-23 ?) which might be more sensitive than that in the Fulcrum, but probably not worth a generational leap. I expect the Su-27's OEPS-27 system is also Gen 2, but the Su-30's OEPS-30 might be Gen 3. Gurus like Peter Grining or Craig would have more precise data at hand.

[pmaidhof]

It turns out that I searched for and found a question and answer thread which included IRST. The most revealing answer was one by Dave S.

 

yahoo AT

 

"The way I read it, the AAQ-28 Litening II pod does have FLIR (4.6.2), IRST

(4.6.3), and LRMTS (4.8.3) capability.

 

I would use the system like this:

When it is being used as an IRST, it has a 60 degree search arc and can

provides all aspect detection out to the ranges listed, it also has

classification capability.

 

When used as FLIR, it would have the 12 degree limitation."

 

NICE.

[pmaidhof]

Thinking more about IRST and their relative short range, I suppose that their use would be more in conjunction with non-radar emitting fighters/interceptors under the direction of either Ground Control Indercept (GCI) or airborne early warning radars. These emitting radar assets would direct the "emcon" fighters/interceptors to ranges at or close to that of IRST detection, allowing for possible previously-undetected engagement, and possible surprise benefits.

 

Tracking?

[TonyE]

True, also if radar jamming is really making for a hard day, IRST is an alternative. Not to mention some of the capabilities the IRST will provide for determining if that glint thru the windscreen is a friendly fighter or enemy fighter. Definitely a multi-faceted tool.

[PG_H4]

H4 assigns a 2nd Gen rating to the MiG-29's IRST. (I should add that the OEPS designation refers to the whole "complex", including the laser rangefinder, and not just the IRST portion). The MiG-23ML also has an IRST (TP-23 ?) which might be more sensitive than that in the Fulcrum, but probably not worth a generational leap. I expect the Su-27's OEPS-27 system is also Gen 2, but the Su-30's OEPS-30 might be Gen 3. Gurus like Peter Grining or Craig would have more precise data at hand.

 

I'd agree with everything Brad has said here. I've gone with 2nd Gern IRST ratings for Mi-G-29 and Su-27, although some recent Russian systems are 3rd gen.