AWC's IRST Pod

[Munir]

What about AWC IRST sir?

The dual racks and IRST was not part of the deal I was told by PAF engineer. I haven't seen those parts on any pictures so sounds reliable info.

 

[nana41]

What is IRST?

Infra Red Search And Track?

 

[Tempest II]

What did we conclude this to be?

We did debate it to be a camera but the way its mounted suggest IRST.

See the one tested on the F-18 here:

and this one

What is on PT06is much closer to the AWC and the F-18 IRST pod than any cameras we have seen.

 

[Informant]

What is Infra Red Search and Track?

 

[Tempest II]

What is Infra Red Search and Track?

http://www.lockheedmartin.co.uk/content/dam/lockheed/data/mfc/pc/irst/mfc-irst-pc.pdf

IRST is a passive long-range sensor system that uses infrared search and track
technology to detect airborne threats and provide weapon-quality track solutions on those
targets. Even in electronic attack or heavy radio frequency/infrared countermeasure environments,
IRST provides autonomous, accurate tracking data that increases pilot reaction time,
enhancing survivability by enabling first-look, first-shoot capability.
Not only can IRST detect air threats, it provides increased discrimination of threat
formation at longer ranges, enhancing multiple target resolution significantly compared to
radar. Data from the IRST system can stand alone or be fused with other on-board sensor
data to provide maximum situational awareness.

 

[Munir]

I have a feeling that this Pakistani pod was used during the Bharat mission to send MKI with ground ordnance to the border...

 

[Tempest II]

Here is yet another podded IRST.

EXCLUSIVE: USAF AGGRESSORS FLY WITH IRST POD | AviationIntel.com

It appears that the USAF is getting very serious about the passive detection threat posed by modern infra-red search and track (IRST) systems, most notably against aircraft optimized for minimal radar observability (see F-22, B-2, F-35, RQ-170 etc). The sensor shown in the photo above, shot during RED FLAG 13-3 that concluded just days ago, is clearly a chin mounted variant of Lockheed Martin’s very capable and ever evolving AN/AAS-42 IRST which originally was fielded on the F-14D and is now an integral part of the latest F-15 Strike Eagle “Tiger Eyes” targeting and navigation sensor suite.

 

[Dazzler]

AWC made IRST back in 90s during sanction period, felt the system was not needed so shelved the project, if the need arises, they can make it again.

 

[Tempest II]

"not needed"? Seriously? Or the sanctions blocked certain needed components? Access to certain technologies? Or money? Or PAF managed to get a complete off-the-shelf system somewhere. "not needed " is interesting to say the least.

Maybe they had made the planned number. Satisfied PAF orders.

 

[Dazzler]

"not needed"? Seriously? Or the sanctions blocked certain needed components? Access to certain technologies? Or money? Or PAF managed to get a complete off-the-shelf system somewhere. "not needed " is interesting to say the least.

Maybe they had made the planned number. Satisfied PAF orders.

the sanctions were in place (pressler in 90s) before the project began so components were already blocked. It was an AWC project with indigenous companies as stake holders. Also, if IRST was deemed so important, they could have made it easily in the post 9/11 period.

 

[RAMPAGE]

the sanctions were in place (pressler in 90s) before the project began so components were already blocked. It was an AWC project with indigenous companies as stake holders. Also, if IRST was deemed so important, they could have made it easily in the post 9/11 period.

It is very important if PAF has to maintain Air Superiority. The rest of the world is moving beyond mere IRST and we're still stuck in the 70's.

Check this out.

 

[Black Eagle 90]

A podded infrared search and tracking system demonstrator developed by Air Weapons Complex (AWC) has been shown mounted under the wing of A Pakistan Air Force Mirage III fighter. Design of the air-to-air IRST, now in production, began in 1992 and was first tested in 1994. The 2.4m long installation , including a stabilizer head in a 210mm diameter supersonic housing, weighs 80kg and draws its power from the host aircraft. It has an RS-422 interface , the output being presented on a 3.5 kg electroluminescent display in the cockpit. For post mission analysis, the pod can also be connected to a 14kg mission recorder installed in the nose of the aircraft. The system is designed to be used against airborne threats, and has a multi-target search capability. The pilot can choose from three scan patterns, including spiral (26x26), horizontal (9.6x100), and vertical (100x9.6) scans. A target tracking function is also avilable, and the IRST's modular design allows for deployment on various platforms, including rotary-wing types. (06/11/98)

This development is very old and there have been no updates on this project.

I would like to know that why hasn't PAC been able to integrate an IRST in JF-17 when the technology already exists and can be improved ???


@DESERT FIGHTER @Aeronaut @Munir @Oscar @Windjammer @Dazzler

I think its a Anti Armour Missile and NESCOM - GIDS might be coming up with their own IRST Pod along with FLIR in an integrated way(similar to UAV-UCAV) for Aircraft, Surface-Submerged Naval Vessels and Land Vehicles along with Space Vehicles. INSHA ALALH.

 

[Bilal Khan 777]

AWC made IRST back in 90s during sanction period, felt the system was not needed so shelved the project, if the need arises, they can make it again.

IRST pod in AWC was an unlicensed copy of a Russian system. Never worked.

 

[Hammad ur Rehman]

I know an officer who had worked on the project. The results were not as required due to technical problems, unavailability of parts of required specs & high costs. Alternative systems were better.

 

[wiseone2]

What is Infra Red Search and Track?

being naive here ??