IR missiles and stealth fighters
Thread Starter
IR missiles and stealth fighters
On the F22 and F35 aircraft usually all weaponry is carried internally and launched / dropped as required after the bay doors are opened
In previous, non stealthy military aircraft however, IR missiles such as the
Sidewinder carried them exposed on a pylon or under the fuselage, this allows their seeker heads to sense and lock on to potential heat sources / targets
So how does this work on an F22 / 35 when IR missiles are carried internally ?
Since they are contained within the
aircraft how can they seek and / or
lock on to any heat source ?
I’m thinking there’s a sophisticated sensor
on the aircraft itself that inputs targeting information to these missiles before they
are launched after which their own
heat seekers ‘take over’ ?
In previous, non stealthy military aircraft however, IR missiles such as the
Sidewinder carried them exposed on a pylon or under the fuselage, this allows their seeker heads to sense and lock on to potential heat sources / targets
So how does this work on an F22 / 35 when IR missiles are carried internally ?
Since they are contained within the
aircraft how can they seek and / or
lock on to any heat source ?
I’m thinking there’s a sophisticated sensor
on the aircraft itself that inputs targeting information to these missiles before they
are launched after which their own
heat seekers ‘take over’ ?
AIM9X can be slaved to the pilots helmet and use lock after launch. It means that you can also take over shoulder shots, although I've no idea what the success rate of that would be.
I believe in early F22 life they'd open the bays and push out the AIM9Ls for lock. Once you're that close and engaging stealth is out the window.
I believe in early F22 life they'd open the bays and push out the AIM9Ls for lock. Once you're that close and engaging stealth is out the window.
