photo: Diehl Defense German Diehl Defence´s IRIS-T Surface Launched (IRIS-T SL) Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) completed a ...
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| photo: Diehl Defense |
German Diehl Defence´s IRIS-T Surface Launched (IRIS-T SL) Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (SAM) completed a series of trials at its full envelope.
The final trials included three guided firings at short to medium range and very low to high-altitude scenarios against target drones. All of them resulted in direct hits.
Jet powered target drones of different sizes were used to perform realistic evasive maneuvers.
The first target was engaged at a distance of more than 30 km. The IRIS-T SL missile flight time was about one minute reaching an altitude above 12 km. Despite an evasive maneuver involving changing direction and altitude, a direct hit of the target was achieved proving the medium range capabilities of IRIS-T SL.
The second firing was at very close range to the launch point to prove the missile´s short range engagement capabilities.
During this firing, IRIS-T SL jettisoned its aerodynamic cover shortly after launch immediately initiating a hard turn-over maneuver towards the low flying target. The entire engagement lasted less than 10 seconds also ending with a direct hit.
The third firing was carried out against a very small, fast and agile target drone featuring high agility and extreme maneuvering capability. A direct hit was achieved at 12.5 km range and 1.5 km altitude even though the drone performed aggressive dive/pull-up evasive maneuvers.
The IRIS-T SL is an upgraded version of the IRIS-T air-to-air missile developed by Germany in collaboration with Greece, Italy, Norway, Sweden and Canada.
IRIS-T SL has an enhanced rocket motor, an aerodynamic hood for extended range, a data link as well as an autonomous GPS/INS navigation system.
The missile's vertical launch enables comprehensive 360° protection against aircraft, helicopters, drones and non ballistic missiles.
IRIS-T SL is planned to be a component of the future German Air and Missile Defence System (TLVS).
