Lockheed Martin received a contract to complete the development of the infrared search and track (IRST) sensor system for the US Navy F/A-18E/F, marking the start of the engineering, manufacturing and development phase of the programme.

“IRST is a game-changer for air-to-air combat, providing a ‘first to see, first to strike’ capability,” said Paul Hey, IRST Senior Program Manager in Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business. “IRST works with the aircraft’s radar to enhance the overall weapon system performance—even in a jamming environment—allowing the warfighter to engage threats with a high probability of success.”

Lockheed Martin’s IRST sensor system improves aircrews’ situational awareness, lethality and survivability, even in threatintensive environments. The IRST is a passive, long-range sensor that simultaneously tracks multiple targets over a large area and is unaffected by electronic attack or radar jamming. The F/A-18E/F IRST is scheduled to achieve initial operating capability in 2016.