FLIR/IRST of the European fighter aircraft

In a four national program European military aircraft companies are developing and producing the Eurofighter (Typhoon). An essential part of the weapon system is its infrared detection system. It consists of equipment, which includes FLIR and IR search and track capabilities (IRST), together in a compact housing. There are various possibilities for air-to-air and air-to-ground operations. The FLIR/IRST, in conjunction with a sensor data fusion process, considerably enhances the combat effectiveness of the Eurofighter. One imaging mode of the FLIR/IRST is optimised for landing approach and for visual navigation. The IR video image can be displayed on a head up display, on a multifunction head down display or on a helmet-mounted display. These modes support the pilot during ground taxiing, take off, flying, air-to-ground engagement, low level operation and landing approach. In the multiple target-tracking (MTT) mode targets within a large field of regard will automatically be extracted from the background and simultaneously be tracked. A further mode provides tracking of a single target at a high update rate. Additionally, there is a mode in which the sensor line of sight is steered by an external control, e.g. helmet pointing angles, with the purpose to gain lock to a target. The basic technical concept of the FLIR/IRST, an overview of the functionality and first test results will be presented.