Editing Infrared search and track (section)

== History ==
=== Early systems ===

[[File:F-8E VMFAW-235 DaNang Apr1966.jpg|thumb|An [[F-8 Crusader|F-8E Crusader]] of [[VMFA-235|VMF(AW)-235]] at [[Da Nang Air Base|Da Nang]], in April 1966 showing the IRST in front of the canopy.]]
The first uses of an IRST system appeared in the [[F-101 Voodoo]], [[F-102 Delta Dagger]] and [[F-106 Delta Dart]] [[interceptors]]. The F-106 had an early IRST mounting replaced in 1963 with a production retractable mount.<ref name="Kinzeyp12">Kinzey 1983, p. 12.</ref> The IRST was also incorporated into the [[F-8 Crusader]] (F-8E variant) allowing passive tracking of heat emissions and was similar to the later [[Texas Instruments]] '''AN/AAA-4''' installed on early [[F-4 Phantoms]].<ref name="Sweetmanp552">Sweetman 1987, p. 552.</ref>

[[File:The Phantom menace. March CA (8203458393).jpg|thumb|AN/AAA-4 IRST under nose of F-4 Phantom]]
The F-4 Phantom had a Texas Instruments AAA-4 infrared seeker<ref name="Sweetmanp526">Sweetman 1987, p. 526.</ref> under the nose of early production aircraft F-4Bs and F-4Cs. It was not not installed on later F-4Ds due to limited capabilities,<ref name="Sweetmanp532">Sweetman 1987, p. 532.</ref> but retained the bulge and indeed some F-4Ds had the IRST receiver retrofitted in a modified form.<ref name="Sweetmanp552"/>

The F-4E eliminated the AAA-4 IRST bulge and received an internal gun mount which took up the area under the nose.<ref name="Sweetmanp537">Sweetman 1987, p. 537.</ref> The F-4J which had a [[pulse-Doppler radar]] also eliminated the AAA-4 IRST receiver and bulge under the nose.<ref name="Edenp279">Eden 2004, p. 279.</ref>

The first use of IRST in a Eurasian country was the [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23]],<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.defencetalk.com/mig-23-flogger-16805/ |title=MiG-23 Flogger |website= DefenceTalk |date= April 12, 2009 |access-date= August 27, 2024}}</ref> which used the (TP-23ML) IRST; later versions used the (26SH1) IRST.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/airdef/mig-23.htm |title = MiG-23 FLOGGER (MIKOYAN-GUREVICH) - Russia / Soviet Nuclear Forces}}</ref> The [[Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25]]PD was also equipped with a small IRST under the nose.<ref>Peter G. Dancey(2015)Soviet Aircraft Industry,Fonthill Media</ref>

The Swedish [[Saab 35 Draken#Variants|Saab J-35F2 Draken]] (1965) also used an IRST, a [[Hughes Aircraft Company]] N71.

=== Later systems ===
IRST systems re-appeared on more modern designs starting in the 1980s with the introduction of 2-D sensors, which cued{{clarify|date=July 2021}} both horizontal and vertical angle. Sensitivities were also greatly improved, leading to better resolution and range. In more recent years, new systems have entered the market. In 2015, Northrop Grumman introduced its OpenPod IRST pod,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/openpod/Pages/default.aspx|title=OpenPod™ IRST and OpenPod™ Targeting|website=Northrop Grumman|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-03|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160317014751/http://www.northropgrumman.com/Capabilities/openpod/Pages/default.aspx|archivedate=2016-03-17|url-status=dead}}</ref> which uses a sensor by [[Leonardo S.p.A.|Leonardo]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Drew|first=Carey|title='Northrop unveils OpenPod as USAF seeks F-15 IRST|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/northrop-unveils-openpod-as-usaf-seeks-f-15-irst-413022/|publisher=Flight Global|access-date=5 June 2015}}</ref> The United States Air Force is currently incorporating IRST systems for its fighter aircraft fleet, including the F-15, F-16, and F-22.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/usaf-taps-boeing-to-select-new-f-15-sensor-supplier-430208/|title=USAF taps Boeing to select new F-15 sensor supplier|date=2016-10-10|newspaper=Flightglobal.com|access-date=2016-11-03}}</ref><ref>[https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/f-22-raptor-being-readied-for-aim-260-missile-by-green-bats-testers F-22 Raptor Being Readied For AIM-260 Missile By ‘Green Bats’ Testers]</ref>

[[File:Rafale B at Paris Air Show 2007.jpg|thumb|[[Optronique secteur frontal]] (IRST) of the [[Dassault Rafale]], below the cockpit and to the side of the refueling boom. On the left, the main IR sensor (100&nbsp;km range), on the right a TV/IR identification sensor with [[laser rangefinder]] (40 km range)]]
[[File:RAF Typhoon Prepares for Takeoff from Italy on Libyan Mission MOD 45152843.jpg|thumb|[[Eurofighter Typhoon]] with PIRATE IRST]]
[[File:VX-9 FA-18F with AIM-174 missiles.jpg|thumb|[[F/A-18F Super Hornet]] with AN/ASG-34(V)1 IRST21 sensor in a modified drop tank on its centerline ]]
While IRST systems are most common amongst aircraft, land-based, ship and submarine systems are available.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rheinmetall-defence.com/en/rheinmetall_defence/systems_and_products/air_defence_systems/drohnenabwehr_toolbox/index.php | title=Rheinmetall Defence - Drone Defence Toolbox }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/artemis-irst-360deg-naval-infrared-search-and-track-system | title=ARTEMIS IRST - 360° Naval InfraRed Search and Track system }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.militaryaerospace.com/defense-executive/article/16723967/photonics-mast-systems-for-eight-block-iii-virginiaclass-attack-submarines-provided-by-kollmorgen | title=StackPath | date=30 December 2010 }}</ref>

=== Distributed Aperture Systems ===

The [[F-35]] is equipped with infrared search and track system [[AN/AAQ-37]] Distributed Aperture System (DAS), which consists of six IR sensors around the aircraft for full spherical coverage, providing day/night imaging and acting as an IRST and missile approach warning system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/infrared-search-and-track-systems-and-the-future-of-the-1691441747|title=Infrared Search And Track Systems And The Future Of The US Fighter Force|website=jalopnik|date=26 March 2015}}</ref>

[[Chengdu J-20]] and [[Shenyang FC-31]] is assumed to share the similar design concept with their system. IRST systems can also be used to detect stealth aircraft, in some cases, outperforming traditional radar.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://jalopnik.com/infrared-search-and-track-systems-and-the-future-of-the-1691441747|title=Infrared Search And Track Systems And The Future Of The US Fighter Force|website=Jalopnik|date=26 March 2015 }}</ref>