Iris-T Missile:
According to a recent report, the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces, lost an Iris-T missile, sparking serious concerns about the crucial technology being compromised.
- Iris-T Missile is a next-generation short-range air-to-air missile.
- The IRIS-T is a six-nation program under German lead, with Diehl BGT Defence (a German defense company) acting as industrial prime contractor.
- The IRIS-T programme sees Germany, Greece, Norway, Italy, Spain and Sweden unite to provide access to technology and expertise. Diehl Defence is the main contractor.
- It is rated for short-range and medium-range air defense.
- The IRIS-T SLM is designed to neutralize threats posed by a variety of enemy aerial systems, such as aircraft, cruise missiles, drones, and helicopters operating at ranges of up to 40 km (25 miles).
- IRIS-T is characterized by an extreme maneuverability for close-in air-to-air combat.
- Equipped with an innovative infrared seeker, thrust-vector control, and a dogfight optimized motor, the Iris-T Missile can engage any target from point-blank up to maximum range.
- IRIS-T can also successfully engage targets behind the launching aircraft and be used in lock-on before and after launch operations.
