SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At Aero India 2025, the Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system for the Tejas MkII program was officially showcased, marking a significant advancement in indigenous sensor technology. According to officials who spoke with idrw.org, flight trials for the IRST system have been successfully conducted, and an industry partner has been selected for its production. The system will be incorporated into the Tejas MkII prototype, which is planned for rollout later this year.
The IRST system is a wide Field-of-View (FOV) airborne surveillance system based on a passive infrared (IR) sensor, capable of automatically searching, detecting, and tracking multiple airborne threats at long ranges within a wide scan volume. Unlike radar, which can be jammed or detected, the IRST system operates passively, making it a crucial tool for stealth operations and counter-air missions.
The IRST system will be mounted on the nose of the Tejas MkII fighter jet, computing target track parameters such as angles and relaying them to the aircraft’s Mission Computer for necessary countermeasures. With this indigenous system, the Tejas MkII will gain a significant edge in air combat by detecting and tracking enemy aircraft without emitting signals that could reveal its position.
Key Features of the IRST System:
- Passive IR Sensor Operation: The system operates without emitting any signals, making it undetectable by enemy radar, thus enhancing the stealth capabilities of the aircraft.
- Multi-Mission and Multi-Mode Capability: It supports a variety of mission profiles, from air-to-air combat to ground surveillance, with the ability to switch modes as per operational requirements.
- Wide Scan Volume: Offering a broad area of coverage, the system can detect threats from various angles, providing pilots with superior situational awareness.
- Selectable Scan Sectors: Pilots can choose specific sectors to focus the IRST’s detection capabilities, optimizing the system for particular threats or mission objectives.
- Image De-rotation and De-blur Mechanism: This feature ensures that the imagery provided to the pilot remains clear and useful even during high-speed maneuvers, critical for accurate targeting and tracking.
- Long Range Detection: The IRST is capable of detecting point targets at ranges up to 100 kilometers, significantly extending the operational envelope of the Tejas MkII.
- Automatic Detection and Tracking: The system can automatically detect and track multiple targets, reducing workload on pilots and increasing the aircraft’s combat efficiency.
NOTE: Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.