GERMAN MISSILE house Bodenseewerk Geratetechnik has carried out two test engagements of its IRIS-T imaging-infra-red (IIR) seeker and guidance system at high off bore-sight angles of engagement.
In both cases, the target drone was hit. The IRIS-T IIR seeker and guidance subsystems were married to an AIM-9 Sidewinder body for the tests, with a German air force McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom as the launch aircraft.
The nine-month project-definition phase of the missile programme, which involves six nations, was launched at the beginning of August.
Germany is the lead nation in the programme to develop an AIM-9 replacement, in concert with Canada, Greece, Italy, Sweden and Norway.
The development phase of the IRIS-T seeker programme, is scheduled, to be launched in the fourth quarter of 1997, with Germany set to provide 50% of the required funding - if the Government is able to avoid making defence-budget cuts.
Source: Flight International
