In an effort to keep its premier fifth-generation fighter aircraft current and updated, the United States Air Force (USAF) has awarded Lockheed Martin a new modernization contract for the F-22 Raptor. Specifically, this contract includes the installation and integration of the new TacIRST infrared search and track (IRST) sensor system developed by the American firm into the stealth fighter.
Over the past decades, the F-22 Raptor has established itself as the most formidable fifth-generation air superiority fighter. However, the emergence of stealth fighter jets in adversary nations, such as China’s J-20 and Russia’s Su-57, has prompted the U.S. Air Force to seek and evaluate proposals to enhance the Raptor’s stealth, protection, and detection capabilities.
One of the weaknesses of the F-22, as pointed out by various experts, is that due to budget constraints during its development (YF-22), the aircraft did not incorporate an infrared search and track (IRST) sensor system. This shortfall in detection capabilities has become more evident over the years with the appearance of the aforementioned Chinese and Russian stealth fighters.
Since at least the 2010s, the USAF has been evaluating proposals to equip its Raptors with these technologies, either by integrating them into sections of the fuselage or through the installation of new externally mounted stealth-designed pods. By the end of March 2024, a series of images surfaced showing a test flight where an F-22 was equipped with new external fuel tanks and pods under its wings. One of the hypotheses suggested at the time was that these could house new IRST sensors, communication systems, and electronic countermeasures.
Returning to the official statement from Lockheed Martin released yesterday, January 22, the company confirmed the awarding of a new contract valued at $270 million to equip the USAF’s F-22s with the new TacIRST system.
“We understand the need for advanced and versatile infrared systems like IRDS that will make pilots’ missions more survivable and lethal against current and future adversaries,” said Hank Tucker, vice president of Mission Systems at Lockheed Martin. “We’re committed to supporting the Air Force through continuous innovation of capabilities to deter and defeat evolving threats.”
Meanwhile, Justin Taylor, vice president of the F-22 program at Lockheed Martin, added: “Lockheed Martin is proud to continue partnering with the Air Force on essential modernization efforts for the Raptor, leveraging our expertise in 5th Generation aircraft and air dominance systems to integrate capabilities that ensure uninterrupted U.S. air superiority today and into the future.”
As of today, the company has not provided further details on how the TacIRST system will be installed and integrated into the F-22s, with various possibilities being speculated, whether integrated into the aircraft’s fuselage or externally via underwing pods. However, they have mentioned that the new equipment is part of the innovative Infrared Defensive System (IRDS), suggesting it could work in conjunction with other systems currently present on the stealth aircraft.
Regardless of how Lockheed Martin integrates the TacIRST, it should be noted that IRST systems have become a mandatory feature in the most modern fighter jets, providing instant target or threat angle and orientation information, operating actively or passively, and complementing self-protection systems and radars.
The reason for this complementarity with other sensors is due to their advantage in operating in highly contested environments, where electronic warfare systems are prevalent. Additionally, given the increasing presence of stealth fighters designed to evade radar detection, IRST systems have the ability to detect targets at long ranges within the infrared spectrum, regardless of aircraft designs intended to reduce radar cross-section. Another significant advantage is their near-immunity to electronic warfare disruptions, unlike traditional radars.
Finally, considering the challenges faced by the NGAD program, which aims to develop a sixth-generation fighter, it is likely that the F-22 Raptor will continue to serve the U.S. Air Force for many more years. This suggests that the capabilities of the most formidable air superiority fighter in service will continue to evolve.
Photographs used for illustrative purposes.
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