Air-to-air guided missiles

IRIS-T

The IRIS-T short-range, air-to-air guided missile is a joint development of Germany, Greece, Italy, Norway, Spain and Sweden. It has replaced the AIM-9L Sidewinder missile in the air forces of these countries since the end of 2005. The program is managed by Diehl BGT Defence as prime contractor. In December 2005, Austria was won as first export customer.

Compared with the predecessor generation, IRIS-T is characterized by significantly increased maneuverability, much greater acquisition range, higher hit accuracy and warhead effectiveness as well as considerably improved resistance to countermeasures. Even targets behind the launching aircraft can be engaged successfully by IRIS-T

The infrared seeker developed by Diehl BGT Defence provides extremely high resolution, target discrimination and flare suppression – even if confronted with the latest countermeasures. Diameter, length, mass and center-of-gravity position have deliberately been chosen such that they meet the requirement for compatibility with its Sidewinder predecessor. The missile-launcher interface, too, has been designed so as to be compatible with both the previous analog Sidewinder interface and the digital interfaces of modern fighter aircraft. IRIS-T has already been integrated into the Eurofighter, F-16 and Tornado. Work for integration of the missile into the JAS 39 Gripen and F-18 aircraft is fully under way. Integration studies are conducted for further platforms such as the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Sidewinder

Since the beginning of the 1960s, Diehl BGT Defence, as European prime contractor and system house, has manufactured more than 35,000 Sidewinder missiles of the AIM-9B, AIM-9B/FGW Mod. 2 and AIM-9L types for nearly all NATO countries and pushed ahead with their further development up to the most recent AIM-9L/I-1 version. The latter provides improved resistance to common infrared countermeasures. Sidewinder is an air-to-air missile developed by the US Navy and produced by Diehl BGT Defence under license for use within the pilot's visual range. It is integrated in almost all European and US fighter aircraft and is now in use in more than 30 countries.

Diehl Raytheon Missile Systeme GmbH, Überlingen, founded in 2004 by Diehl VA Systeme and Raytheon, is responsible for modernization and marketing of the existing AIM-9L/M Sidewinders. Its tasks also include worldwide logistics and life-cycle maintenance of Sidewinder AIM-9L/M missiles as well as AMRAAM marketing support for Raytheon in Europe.