The IRIS-T missile on South African Air Force's Gripen fighter. A Saab Photo by Dean Wingrin
PRETORIA (BNS): The South African Air Force has, for the first time, publicly unveiled its fifth generation IRIS-T short range air-to-air missile which it procured in 2008.
The missile was exhibited on board a Gripen fighter aircraft during the South African Air Force's (SAAF) 90th anniversary parade held in Pretoria.
The country has placed an order for 26 Gripen state-of-the-art fighter aircraft, its manufacturer Saab said.
The IRIS-T is a short range missile jointly developed by Greece, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden.
The missile uses a unique imaging seeker and is capable of destroying a variety of targets ranging from low-flying unmanned combat air vehicles to cruise missiles and large aircraft.
The missile system has been designed to replace the AIM-9 Sidewinder used by some of the NATO member countries.
IRIS-T can be mounted on any of the aircraft that carry the Sidewinder missiles like the Eurofighter-Typhoon and JAS 39 Gripen. The F-16, F-18 and TORNADO fighters can also deployed the missile system.
The Indian Air Force, in its flight trials evaluation report submitted before the Defence Ministry l..
view articleAn insight into the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition...
view articleSky enthusiasts can now spot the International Space Station (ISS) commanded by Indian-American astr..
view article