The eighty fifth Check and Analysis Squadron carried out the first-ever stay hearth of an Superior Medium-Vary Air-to-Air Missile from an F-15C Eagle utilizing an Infrared Search-and-Monitor system, efficiently taking pictures a QF-16 aerial goal, Aug. 5, 2021. The F-15C was outfitted with Lockheed Martin’s Legion Pod IRST Block 1.5 system. The IRST passive goal monitoring functionality was mixed with the APG-63v3 RADAR to datalink the goal location to the AIM-120, defined Maj. Brian Davis, eighty fifth TES Chief of Air-to-Air Weapons and Techniques. Through the check, the sensors in a number of spectrums collaborated for the missile to efficiently intercept the goal and closed kill chains.
The check additionally coincided with the fielding analysis of the Legion Pod Block 1.5 IRST, the place members of each the eighty fifth TES and Operational Flight Program Mixed Check Drive collaborated to check the datalink characterization to additional develop follow-on techniques. This profitable stay missile check is critical as a result of an F-15 outfitted with an IRST-cued AIM-120 permits us to realize detection, monitoring, concentrating on, weapons employment, and verification of an intercept with out being dependent upon RADAR energ. It’s additionally not vulnerable to radio frequency jamming or a goal’s low observable design.”
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This check proves the capabilities of the U.S. Division of Protection and U.S. Air Drive to lethally goal an plane outdoors of the normal radar electromagnetic spectrum. Pairing that with the power to additionally undertake the Legion Pod on any platform units a precedent for what’s to return. Practically a yr in the past in the present day, the U.S. Air Drive hit two different IRST milestones: the primary missile shot of an AIM-9X utilizing the Legion Pod on an F-15C and the primary flight of a Legion Pod-equipped F-16.
The eighty fifth Check and Analysis Squadron is a part of the 53d Wing at Eglin Air Drive Base, Florida. It conducts testing and analysis for the F-15 Eagle, F-15E Strike Eagle, and F-16 Combating Falcon airframes. By testing new, operational capabilities, creating techniques, and evaluating fielded capabilities, the 53rd Wing is bringing the long run sooner whereas answering the warfighter’s calls for for built-in, multi-domain capabilities. The 53d Wing (53 WG) is a wing of the USA Air Drive based mostly at Eglin Air Drive Base, Florida. The wing stories to the USA Air Drive Warfare Heart at Nellis Air Drive Base, Nevada, which in flip stories to Headquarters Air Fight Command.
