IRIS-T

IRIS-T
1:1 model of the IRIS-T
Type	Short-range air-to-air missile
Place of origin	German-led multinational armament program
Service history
In service	December 2005
Used by	See operators
Production history
Manufacturer	Diehl BGT Defence
Unit cost	€0.38m (~US$455,000)
Specifications
Weight	87.4 kg (193 lb)
Length	2.9 m (9.5 ft)
Diameter	127 mm (5.0 in)
Warhead	HE/Fragmentation
Detonation mechanism	Impact and active radar proximity fuse
Engine	Solid-fuel rocket
Wingspan	447 mm (17.6 in)
Operational range	25 km (16 mi)
Flight altitude	Sea level to 20,000 m (66,000 ft)
Speed	Mach 3
Guidance system	Infrared homing
Launch platform	Typhoon, Tornado, F-4, F-16, NASAMS, Gripen, F-18.

The IRIS-T (Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled) is a German-led program to develop a short-range infrared homing air-to-air missile to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder found in some NATO member countries. Any aircraft capable of firing the Sidewinder is also capable of launching the IRIS-T.

In the 1980s, NATO countries signed a Memorandum of Agreement that the United States would develop a medium-range air-to-air missile to replace the AIM-7 Sparrow, while Britain and Germany would develop a short-range air-to-air missile to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder. The US design developed as the AIM-120 AMRAAM, while the UK-German design developed as the AIM-132 ASRAAM.

The roots of the ASRAAM dated back to 1968 when development began on the Hawker Siddeley SRAAM ('Taildog'), but this project ended in 1974 with no production orders. This work was dusted off for the UK/German effort, with the Germans providing a new seeker, and the British providing most of the remaining components. In the intervening time, the need for high maneuverability was downgraded in favor of greater range.

After German reunification in 1990, Germany found itself with large stockpiles of the Soviet Vympel R-73 missiles (NATO reporting name: AA-11 Archer) carried by the MiG-29 Fulcrum and concluded that the AA-11's capabilities had been noticeably underestimated. In particular, it was found to be both far more maneuverable, and far more capable in terms of seeker acquisition and tracking than the latest AIM-9 Sidewinder. In 1990 Germany withdrew from the ASRAAM project, while Britain resolved to find another seeker and develop ASRAAM according to the original requirements.