Boeing, Lockheed-Martin to start full-scale development of infrared search sensor for F/A-18E/F combat aircraft

PATUXENT RIVER NAS, Md., 21 Aug. 2011. U.S. Navy officials are giving the go-ahead for the The Boeing Co. Defense, Space & Security segment in St. Louis to begin full-scale development of an infrared search and track (IRST) system for the F/A-18E/F carrier-based jet fighter-bomber, which will give the combat jet the ability to detect enemy aircraft and missiles at long ranges without using radar.Officials of the Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md., awarded Boeing a $135 million contract Friday for engineering, manufacturing, and development (EMD) of the F/A-18E/F IRST, a longwave infrared detection system that targets aircraft and missiles without radar. Longwave infrared is primarily a heat-seeking sensor.The Lockheed Martin Corp. Missiles and Fire Control segment in Orlando, Fla., is Boeing's primary subcontractor supplying IRST sensor systems for the F/A-18E/F and U.S. Air Force F-15C jet fighter.The Lockheed Martin IRST earned critical Milestone B approval last month to begin the F/A-18E/F EMD phase. "In air-to-air engagements, IRST provides a discriminating capability to counter threats at greater standoff distances enhancing survivability," says Paul Hey, IRST senior program manager at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

The passive IRST sensor system provides on-board situational awareness for Super Hornet pilots while detecting, identifying, and attacking enemy targets at long ranges. The system's high-angle detection capability also helps combat pilots track closely spaced enemy aircraft at long ranges.

The F/A-18 E/F IRST uses a passive longwave infrared sensor that detects the heat from the engines of potentially hostile aircraft or missiles within its large field of view, Lockheed Martin officials explain. Since the IRST emits no electronic signals, it can detect and track enemy aircraft and missiles without switching on the host aircraft's radar, which risks giving away its presence to the enemy.

The F/A-18E/F IRST, which is mounted in the forward section of the aircraft's centerline fuel tank, feeds target track file data to the Super Hornet's mission computer with while providing infrared imagery to cockpit displays.

The system consists of a sensor head that houses a three-axis inertially stabilized gimbal that scans the optics and detector assembly; a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processor; high density digital recorder; and air-to-liquid heat exchanger.

The Boeing and Lockheed Martin IRST team will do the work on the EMD phase of the contract in St. Louis; Orlando, Fla.; Santa Ana, Calif.; and Irvine, Calif., and should be finished in September 2015.

For more information contact Boeing Defense, Space & Security online at www.boeing.com/bds; Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control at www.lockheedmartin.com/mfc, or Naval Air Systems Command at www.navair.navy.mil.

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-- Infrared search and track system for Navy F/A-18 jet fighter enters full-scale development.