Lockheed will be setting up USAF F-15s with IRST.
My first thought is that it would be like the Japanese F-15s where it is up in front of the windscreen like a Flanker or F-102.
However with the limited details of this press release it seems that it may go the way of the Super Hornet where the IRST is put in the front of a centerline fuel tank.
I look forward to more details on this.
Now all we need is an AMRAAM with an AIM-9X seeker-head.
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Hi Eric
I think the plan is to mount the IRST on a pylon under the left intake,a la Lantirn.
Cheers
Andrew
Now, when can they mount an IRST on the F-22.
Admittedly, a pair of F-15s, with IRST, and AMRAAM missiles would be quite deadly. (Two are needed to get a good track).
Heck, to make it even worse, have the F-15′s spot the targets, than MQ-Xs shoot the missiles, so they serve as missile carriers for the targeting F-15s.
And, to get the icing on the cake. Give the IRST to the N-UCAS and four extended range AIM-120s, and go AWACS hunting….
The F-22 was to have an EOTS-like setup like the F-35— along with side looking check AESA arrays. However they were not put in to cut costs.
Going back to what Andrew stated. USAF is pretty much broke. I think like he says that yes they may do an F-15K IRST like mount but that would be offset drag (not as big a deal on the E fram as it is mostly a striker- and also an airframe mod to the old C aircraft. )
The drop-tank-IRST probably offers the least cost and an F-15C performs well with a mostly empty centerline fuel tank config. We’ll see.
It appears that the IRST will be in a “sleeker” pod mounted on the “station 5″ stores pylon. While its considered belly mounted, it will have the ability to look up 5 degree’s.
Just a guess, but I’d think the different IRST position and more aero pod has a lot to do with the Mach 2.5 dash speed of the F-15 vs. the much slower Super Hornet.
http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2009/09/18/332380/usaf-adds-irst-pod-for-f-15s.html
Here’s a photo of a Strike Eagle with the Lantirn pods, AN/AAQ-13 navigation pod, and AN/AAQ-14 targeting pod, maybe station 5?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SAS_2010_F-15E_LANTIRN.JPG
I wonder if its possible to merge the lot into a single center line tank like this mock-up from lockheed.
http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/mfc/Photos/MFC_IRST_photo5_h.jpg
This is what Andrew means– here is the IRST shown on an F-15K.
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee54/warpigelp/IRSTMedium.jpg
Fantastic! Thanks Eric and Andrew. It sounds like its already flying on the F-15SG. It looks like its riding on the pylon for the LANTIRN targeting pod in these photos….
http://militarynuts.com/index.php?showtopic=1949
If the F-35 is so good why bother ugrading F-15C and fly them till 2030!