Fire by looking - IRIS-T improves close combat capability for Gripen

IRIS-T is designed to combat targets at very short distances from the aircraft.
“Integration of IRIS-T in the Gripen enhances the fighter’s close combat capability, which is a vital element in future international operations”, says Ulf Nilsson, head of the Gripen Sweden program at Saab Aerosystems.

International prestige project

The development and production of IRIS-T is being carried out as an international collaboration involving corporations in six countries: Germany, Greece, Italy, Sweden, Norway and Spain.
“International cooperation like this are fully in line with the Swedish Armed Forces’ chosen path when it comes to development and procurement of military equipment,” says Lars Tossman, head of marketing at Saab Bofors Dynamics.
The air-to-air missile will replace the American Sidewinder missile currently used in the Gripen system.

HMD for full performance

The HMD (Helmet Mounted Display) is a natural complement to IRIS-T, as the combination dramatically increases the aircraft’s close combat capability. The helmet enables the pilot to view, lock and fire on targets using the helmet display. This gives the pilot greater situation awareness, and enables the pilot to react more quickly than previously possible.
“Without an HMD system, a missile like the IRIS-T has to be controlled by radar, or the pilot has to turn to point the aircraft at the target,” says Mats Thorbiörnson, chief test pilot at Saab. “With HMD the pilot can aim the missile using the helmet simply by looking at the target, thereby utilizing the missile’s full performance capability. In a close combat situation it’s absolutely crucial to get into firing position first, and in that respect a system equipped with HMD and IRIS-T is far superior.”