Anti-aircraft missile system IRIS-T SLS

11 March 2013 of the Swedish Armed Forces Support Agency (FMV) announced that it has signed a contract with the German company Diehl Defense worth 270 million Swedish crowns ($ 41.9 million) to supply the Swedish armed forces with new short-range anti-aircraft missile systems IRIS-T SLS (Infrared Imaging System-Tail / thrust vector controlled) - infrared guidance system, controlled thrust vector; surface-launched, short-range - launched from the surface, short-range). The exact number of supplied systems is kept strictly confidential, and the supplies themselves are scheduled for the 2016 year.

SAM IRIS-T SLS provides all-around protection of critical objects from a wide range of threats, including cruise missiles, helicopters, airplanes, as well as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). SAM IRIS-T SLS is a ground-based system, specially designed for the Swedish air defense. The complex includes a vertical-type launcher, a target designation system and a fire control system. The complex is able to work both in automatic and manual modes. The vertical launcher is located on a highly mobile tractor, and its weight and size characteristics allow it to be transported by air on C-130 transport planes. The modified air-to-air missiles of the IRIS-T are located in lightweight fiberglass transport-launch containers. The loading of eight such containers is carried out using a transport-charging machine in approximately 10 minutes. The rocket warhead ensures sufficient safety during transportation and loading of containers. According to the developers, the modularity of the system allows it to be installed on the 5000 order produced by Mercedes Unimog-class trucks, and thanks to its open and standardized architecture, it can be easily adapted to the network with existing and future components of the fire control system.

A vertically launched rocket with an infrared homing head (IR GOS) in the initial part of the trajectory is aimed at the target using the Giraffe AMB all-round viewing radar developed by the Swedish company Saab. This station provides the ability to detect targets at a distance of more than 100 kilometers and an altitude of more than 20 kilometers, while simultaneously accompanying 150 targets.

Development of the IRIS-T air-to-air missile began in 1998. The missile was intended to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile currently in service with NATO countries. A consortium of six European countries took part in its development: Germany, Greece, Norway, Italy, Spain and Sweden. The main contractor in the program was the German concern Diehl BGT Defense. Other major companies participating in the program are MBDA, Hellenic Aerospace, Nammo Raufoss, Internacional de Composites and Saab Bofors Dynamics. In March 2002, the rocket was successfully tested, and in October 2003, Diehl BGT received final approval from the Federal Office for Defense Technology and Procurement for preparation for mass production. In December 2004, Diehl received a contract on behalf of all six European countries involved in the program for the serial production of IRIS-T missiles worth a total of € 1 billion. The first export client of the missile was the Austrian Air Force, which placed a contract for IRIS-T missiles at the end of 2005. In May 2008, South Africa ordered IRIS-T for its Gripen aircraft. In September 2009, Diehl signed a contract with Saudi Arabia to integrate the IRIS-T missile into the Eurofighter Typhoon and Tornado combat aircraft of the Saudi Air Force. Thailand also acquired a number of missiles. In total, by the end of 2012, more than 4000 IRIS-T missiles were delivered. IRIS-T has been successfully integrated on Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16 Falcon, F / A-18, Tornado and Gripen fighters. It is reported that the approximate cost of one rocket is about 400 thousand euros.

The IRIS-T rocket has a normal aerodynamic configuration. The case consists of four main compartments. The first is the guidance system, which includes an inertial navigation system, GPS and homing head, in the second combat part. In the middle part of the fuselage is the propulsion system, in the aft - cruciform steering wheels and gas rudders. The total length of the rocket is 2.94 meters, diameter 127 mm and total weight 89 kg. The rocket has the ability to capture the target before launch (lock-on before launch, LOBL), as well as capture the target after launch (lock-on after launch, LOAL). It is capable of intercepting an air target at a range of 25 km.

The infrared homing head has a high tracking target and intelligent high-resolution image processing. GOS has a proven high noise immunity. Due to the very wide angle of view and ability to receive target designation from the on-board radar or the helmet-mounted target designator, the air-to-air missile IRIS-T provides defenses for the 360 ° aircraft. The IRIS-T is equipped with a proximity fuse and a high-explosive fragmentation warhead to fight off attacking missiles.

IRIS-T is equipped with a solid fuel engine developed by Nammo and allows you to develop maximum speed in 3 Mach. The controlled thrust vector and the capture function after launching allow the rocket to hit targets in the rear hemisphere of the aircraft ("shot over the shoulder"). Due to the exceptional kinematics of the rocket, the internal operational dead zone is only a few hundred meters.

3 March 2008, the IRIS-T SLS SAM system was successfully tested at the OTB test site in the Republic of South Africa. Before 2011, 5 was successfully tested.

It should be noted that in February 2009 of the year Germany demanded to integrate the IRIS-T SL rocket with an increased range of up to 30 km into the MEADS project. However, this project deserves special attention and will be presented in a separate article.

Comments

[leon-iv]

A funny current complex from all really interesting information only about radar, and other data speak of 100 targets followed. But there is no data how many can fire at the same time.
Further capture to start.
It’s like I don’t watch an optical station. on it. Although sawing it is not a problem.
In fact, a classic European lack of air defense for a country that does not want to fight with anyone.

[Nayhas]

"Classical nadopo" is a classic label that does not reflect reality at all. IRIS-T SLS - Medium-range air defense missile system with a relatively small size. If IRIS-T is still included in MEADS, then an excellent complex will turn out.
PS: neglect of European air defense systems is usually caused by their relatively short range. However, no one somehow takes into account that this is due to the fact that the main function of air defense in Europe is performed by fighter aircraft, which is quite logical given the saturated airfield network in Europe. In Russia, with its open spaces, it is more difficult to implement, strategic facilities are scattered throughout the country and it is very difficult to quickly concentrate the necessary air defense forces, therefore, an air defense system needs a long range.

[leon-iv]

If IRIS-T is nevertheless included in MEADS, then we get an excellent complex.
In the sense of ACS defense or in PU?
However, no one somehow takes into account that this is due to the fact that the main function of air defense in Europe is performed by fighter aircraft
Og, given that the EU forces are shrinking.

[Nayhas]

"In the sense of an air defense ACS or in a launcher?" - into the complex itself, as a means of destruction in the near zone.
"Oga, given that the EU Armed Forces are shrinking" is the main concentration, with a developed airfield network, it is always possible to organize numerical superiority / parity in one sector in the shortest possible time, especially in Europe, exercises are taking place in this vein.

[leon-iv]

into the complex itself, as a means of destruction in the near zone
Funny why?
PU is a penny compared to the rest of the complex. Why change long-range missiles to "medium" range.
Moreover, it is again incomprehensible how tsu will be realized

[Nayhas]

For the separation of defense, the pursuit of what managed to break through the first line of defense. This is not a replacement, but an addition. The idea is very simple. Because Since this missile has radio command guidance at the initial site with the subsequent capture of the target's TGSN (when firing at maximum range, I do not know the range of the TGSN's independent capture by this missile, but obviously less than 20 km.), it can be added to other air defense systems in which transmission and control compatible. Thus, it is possible to strengthen the SAM system depending on the conditions of combat use. Those. MEADS radar can not only produce target designation, but also directly direct IRIS-T missiles to the target. When we add the Shell to S-300/400, then it can only receive target designation from it, and it is guided by its equipment, which is certainly more expensive.

[leon-iv]

Those. MEADS radar can not only produce target designation, but also directly direct IRIS-T missiles to the target.

I did mean that the iris rockets climb into the MEADS containers.
And yet I don’t see how missiles capture the target while in the container and before the capture of the TGSN without other means of detection. A radio command simply displays at a certain point.

[gregor6549]

Guys, this complex has already been discussed not so long ago and in some detail on this site and there is no point in discussing it in the second round. On the whole, there is another attempt by the manufacturer of the well-known air-to-air missiles as an active means of a ground-based air defense system. All other components of the complex are simply borrowed from other companies, for example, the same "Giraffe" radar, which is also being made by the Swedish company Ericsson for a long time. How is it there? "I blinded him from what happened ...." Of course, certain improvements in hardware and software take place, but not fundamental

[viruskvartirus]

And why is it worse than the Pantsyry with their radio command guidance? Expensive )? A self-guided missile at the terminal site can be guided by any normal radar of the corresponding purpose. So in my opinion the device is not very bad, the same Korotchenko paid them a lot of attention.

[Atrix]

Quote: viruskvartirus

and in 2

Now they will answer you worse because the Shell has no analogues in the world

[tuts]

by the way about the birds: And the cost of one rocket is comparable to the cost of a UAV

because the shell has cannon weapons ....

[Nayhas]

Well, it is more noise tolerant. It has not yet invented effective protection against modern missiles with TGSN. AIM-9X, IRIS-T, R-73M, RVV-MD can not be fooled by thermal traps, but the same KR is generally powerless against them, even speed will not be saved ...

[Andrey A]

Apparently, very few of these systems were produced: a small number of vehicles were received by Sweden, another 7 air defense systems were promised to Egypt ... That is. these are single vehicles and it is unlikely that they can radically change something in Ukraine, more than 300 air defense systems have already been destroyed there, especially since the capabilities of the IRIS-T SLS are modest, at best, this is an analogue of our Buk, while not yet it is known: how well it works on low-flying and inconspicuous targets, resists electronic warfare, etc. http://bastion-karpenko.ru/iris-t-sl/