Story ID: 
Delivery Begins on Iris-T Missiles
By: AIN Staff
Caption: Following the successful completion of pilot lot test firings, deliveries have begun of the Iris-T (infrared imaging system-tail/thrust vector controlled) 
Word Count: 147
Following the successful completion of pilot lot test firings, deliveries have begun of the Iris-T (infrared imaging system-tail/thrust vector controlled) short- to medium-range missile. Developed by a consortium led by Diehl BGT Defence, the Iris-T has a BGT-developed imaging infrared seeker and uses both aerodynamic and thrust-vectoring control for excellent agility. The high maneuverability, combined with its lock-on after launch capability, allows the missile to attack targets in the rear hemisphere, in “over the shoulder” attacks. The seeker offers very high-resolution target discrimination and good flare-rejection properties. The missile was developed with similar dimensions and center-of-gravity to its Sidewinder predecessor, and it is compatible with both the original analog Sidewinder interface and the current digital launcher rails. A European consortium of Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden has ordered around 4,000 missiles to be deployed on their F-16s, F/A-18s, Tornados, Typhoons and Gripens.