Editing IRIS-T (section)

==Missile characteristics==
In comparison to the AIM-9M Sidewinder, the IRIS-T has higher [[Electronic countermeasure|ECM]] resistance and flare suppression.<ref>{{cite web|title= IRIS-T Guided Missile Family, Germany | publisher = Diehl |url= http://www.diehl.com/en/diehl-defence/products/guided-missiles/iris-t-guided-missile-family/iris-t.html|access-date=11 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603073851/http://www.diehl.com/en/diehl-defence/products/guided-missiles/iris-t-guided-missile-family/iris-t.html |archive-date=2018-06-03 |url-status= dead}}</ref> Improvements in target discrimination allow for five to eight times longer head-on firing range than the AIM-9L<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Georg |last=Mader |date=2016 |title=Air-to-Air Missile Update |magazine=Military Technology |volume=40 |issue=6 |page=129 |issn=0722-3226 |quote=Improvements in target discrimination not only allows for 5-8 times longer head-on firing range than the AIM-9L}}</ref> and three to four times longer target acquiring range than the AIM-9M.<ref name="anyone" /> Its seeker can receive cues from radar, helmet mounted display, [[Infrared search and track|infrared search and track device]], [[Missile approach warning system|missile approach warner]] and [[data link]].<ref name="IRIS-T_Eurofighter" /> It can engage targets behind the launching aircraft, made possible by extreme close-in agility, allowing turns of 60 ''g'' at a rate of 60°/s via thrust vectoring and [[Lock-on after launch|LOAL]] capability.<ref name=diehl /><ref>{{cite web|title= IRIS-T Air-to-Air Guided Missile, Germany | work = Air force technology |url= http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/iris-t-air-air-guided-missile-germany/|access-date=11 June 2014}}</ref>

The IRIS-T belongs to 5th generation IR-guided missiles which introduce infrared imaging seeker.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Anil Kumar |last=Maini |title=Precision-Guided Munitions: Infra-Red-Guided Weapons |magazine=Electronics For You |date=April 2015 |volume=3 |issue=12 |page=84 |issn=0013-516X}}</ref> Compared to the other 5th generation IR-guided missiles, such as AIM-9X, ASRAAM which use [[staring array]],<ref name="flight" /> the IRIS-T uses an [[InSb]]<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Paolo |last=Quaranta |date=2016 |title=Missile Guidance Technology |magazine=Military Technology |volume=40 |issue=7/8 |page=26 |issn=0722-3226}}</ref> two-colour seeker based around a 128x2 linear array and a scanning mirror which builds an image from a row of detector elements and scans rapidly across the target. It would produce a 128x128 size image 80 times per second.<ref name="flight">{{cite web |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/short-range-square-off-67103/ |periodical=Flightglobal |title=Short-range square-off |date=27 June 2000 |access-date=13 July 2014 |archive-date=2016-06-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604151533/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/short-range-square-off-67103/ |url-status=live}}</ref>{{sfn|Friedman|1997|p=423}} Each of the elements has a resolution in milliradians.<ref name="anyone">{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/any-one-for-iris-t-2342/ |publisher=Flightglobal |title=Any one for IRIS-T |date=30 April 1997 |access-date=23 July 2014 |archive-date=2016-08-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807154626/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/any-one-for-iris-t-2342/ |url-status=live}}</ref> It was regarded to have good resistance against [[Directional Infrared Counter Measures|DIRCM]].<ref>{{cite magazine |date=2010 |title=IRIS-T - European Short Range Air-to-Air Missile |magazine=Military Technology |volume=34 |issue=7 |page=175 |issn=0722-3226 |quote=IRIS-T provides the pilot with an unmatched full sphere launch capability under all modern countermeasure conditions, inciuding blinding laser}}</ref><ref name="diehl-brochure-2018" /> [[Diehl Defence|Bodenseewerk Gerätetechnik GmbH]] (BGT) claimed that scanning arrays were less susceptible than staring arrays as the former receive the DIRCM energy for fractions of a second whereas the latter receive it continuously.<ref name="flight" />

The IRIS-T is able to intercept fast-moving and miniature targets, such as air-to-air/surface-to-air missiles and air-to-surface/surface-to-surface missiles and rockets, UAV/drones, and cruise missiles. To improve the probability of a direct hit, the missile is equipped with a [[Ku band|K<sub>u</sub> band]]<ref name="flight" /> active radar proximity fuze.<ref name="diehl-brochure-2018">{{cite web|url= https://www.diehl.com/cms/files/Diehl_Defence_Brosch%C3%BCre2018_en.pdf|title= Living in a safe environment: Technology for peace and freedom| publisher =[[Diehl Defence]] |accessdate=6 July 2022}}</ref>

The IRIS-T has the unique ability, in comparison to other similar missiles such as the AIM-9X, to target and shoot down other air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles, thus offering a 360° defence capability.<ref name= diehl /><ref name="IRIS-T_Eurofighter">{{cite web|title= IRIS-T European Short Range Air-to-air Missile | publisher = Diehl |url= http://www.diehl.com/fileadmin/diehl-defence/user_upload/flyer/IRIS-T_e_Eurofighter.pdf|access-date= 10 March 2018|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130612054850/http://www.diehl.com/fileadmin/diehl-defence/user_upload/flyer/IRIS-T_e_Eurofighter.pdf |archive-date= 12 June 2013|url-status= dead}}</ref> Surface launched variants of the IRIS-T, the IRIS-T SLS and IRIS-T SLM, have enhanced capabilities to destroy aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship missiles, anti-radar rockets and large-calibre rockets. They have a high probability of a killing shot against UAVs and other small manoeuvring threats at very-short and medium-range distances.<ref>{{cite web |title= IRIS-T SL Surface-to-Air Guided Missile | work = Air force technology |url= http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/iris-t-sl-surface-to-air-guided-missile/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141031175346/http://www.airforce-technology.com/projects/iris-t-sl-surface-to-air-guided-missile |archive-date=2014-10-31 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Royal Norwegian Air Force]] (RNoAF) has tested a new air-to-surface capability developed by Diehl BGT Defence for the IRIS-T. A proof of concept test firing to acquire, track, and engage a target representing a small fast attack boat was conducted in Norway in September 2016, where the IRIS-T missile was launched from an RNoAF F-16AM multirole aircraft. For the air-to-surface role, the missile retains the same standard IRIS-T AAM hardware configuration, including the HE warhead and IIR guidance package, with only an updated software insertion required to deliver the additional ground attack capability.<ref>{{cite web|title= Diehl develops air-to-surface capability for IRIS-T AAM |url= http://www.janes.com/article/66304/diehl-develops-air-to-surface-capability-for-iris-t-aam | work = Jane’s |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161216141501/http://www.janes.com/article/66304/diehl-develops-air-to-surface-capability-for-iris-t-aam |archive-date=2016-12-16 |url-status= dead}}</ref> This basic air-to-ground capability provides the ability to acquire, track and engage individual ground targets like boats, ships, small buildings and vehicles.<ref>{{cite web| publisher = Diehl | type = Press release | title = Royal Norwegian Air Force tested IRIS-T in air-to-ground mission|url= http://www.diehl.com/en/nc/diehl-defence/press/royal-norwegian-air-force-tested-iris-t-in-air-to-ground-mission.html |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161216115459/http://www.diehl.com/en/nc/diehl-defence/press/royal-norwegian-air-force-tested-iris-t-in-air-to-ground-mission.html |archive-date=2016-12-16 |url-status= dead}}</ref>
<gallery>
File:IRIS-T Schnitt.jpg|Subassemblies of the IRIS-T
File:Irist expo mount.JPG|[[German Air Force]] airmen mount an IRIS-T to a [[Eurofighter]]
File:Iris.ogg|Movement of the seeker head
</gallery>