The U.S. Air Force’s (USAF) air superiority stealth aircraft, the F-22 Raptor, will receive a distributed array of infrared search and track (IRST) to enhance survivability and lethality. The development comes as the Next Generation Air Superiority Fighter (NGAD), which was supposed to replace the Raptor, is currently being reconsidered.
U.S. Air Force awarded $270 million contract with Lockheed Martin To incorporate the TacIRST Infrared Defense System (IRDS) on the 5th Generation F-22 Raptor.
“We understand the need for advanced, versatile infrared systems like IRDS to make pilots’ missions more survivable and lethal against current and future adversaries.” Lockheed -Hank Tucker, Martin’s Vice President of Mission Systems. “We are committed to supporting the Air Force through continued innovation in our capabilities to deter and defeat evolving threats.”
The F-22 was originally conceived as an aircraft with advanced sensors and IRST capabilities.. However, during the pre-production stage of the aircraft, the installation of IRST was shelved due to the following reasons: Financial constraints are increasing.
In particular, the U.S. Air Force has been seeking IRST capabilities for its ace stealth fighters for some time. For example, a document issued under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program called for submissions related to new IRST capabilities and additional F-22 upgrades in 2022.
The IRST integration will enable the Raptor to detect and track a range of airborne threats, including stealth attacks.
This is a key requirement in modern air warfare, where the enemy flies not only stealth fixed-wing fighters and bombers, but also stealth unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Distributed sensors enhance the aircraft’s overall situational awareness and increase survivability.
Details about how the IRST system will integrate with Raptor are not currently available. It is also possible to install it internally, but this would require significant “restructuring” and could affect the radar signal throughout the aircraft.
Alternatively, pods can be mounted on aircraft. Raptors have recently been seen flying stealthy underwing pods, which are believed to be related to the IRST integration program.
Currently, the F-22 is equipped with the AN/AAR-56 Missile Launch Detection System (MLD). This new capability will give Raptor pilots 360-degree monitoring of air- and ground-launched guided missile threats. At this time, it is unclear whether IRST will replace or supersede MLD.
The addition of IRST to the U.S. Air Force’s stealth aircraft is significant as it comes amid heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

IRST systems help detect and track aircraft based on the aircraft’s infrared (IR) signature, such as heat from the engine or frictional heat between the air. It detects the temperature difference between the cold surrounding air and the heat radiation from a fast-moving aircraft.
IRST is capable of detecting targets in the infrared spectrum over long ranges, despite enhancements designed to reduce the radar cross section.
Previously, military expert and Indian Air Force Veteran Squadron Leader Bijainder K. Thakur explained to EuroAsia Times the integration of IRST sensors on Taiwan’s F-16 Vipers: Chinese stealth aircraft do not have good infrared signature suppression capabilities. On a clear day, an F-16 equipped with IRST would be able to detect stealth fighters from a range of 70 kilometers without revealing their location. Stealth fighters, on the other hand, can only detect the F-16 by turning on their radar and revealing their location. ”
This capability would become even more lethal when installed on a stealth aircraft like the F-22 Raptor, especially in potential future combat scenarios against Chinese stealth fighters.
In particular, IRST technology is completely passive and, unlike common radars that emit radio waves when used in active mode by pilots to detect hostile aircraft, does not signal the location of the aircraft on board. there is no. IRST systems are not susceptible to electronic jamming, a burgeoning threat in modern warfare.
After decades of research and hundreds of billions of dollars of investment in the development of stealth aircraft, modern militaries are rapidly advancing anti-stealth technologies such as IRST systems.
Both China and Russia are integrating these systems into their fighter jets. For example, Russia claims its Su-57 stealth aircraft is equipped with IRST, while a recently discovered Chinese sixth-generation aircraft reportedly has advanced IRST capabilities.
Raptors are here to stay
The integration of IRST into the Raptor is part of a larger modernization program aimed at expanding the Raptor’s capabilities, extending its operational life into the 2040s and increasing its combat readiness amidst change. It is worth noting because it is considered. security environment.
Previously, the Raptors were scheduled to be replaced by next-generation NGAD aircraft, but that plan has now been postponed indefinitely due to the uncertainty of NGAD’s future.
The uncertainty surrounding NGAD makes it imperative to keep the Raptors serviceable, combat capable, and equipped with the latest technology.
To maintain air superiority, the military has therefore been aggressively introducing new avionics, radar, targeting sensors, weapons, glass cockpit displays, and artificial intelligence to its F-22 stealth fighter for several years.
When asked about plans for the Raptor to retire in August 2024, Gen. Jason D. Voorhuis, program executive director, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Fighter and Advanced Aircraft, said: “We cannot provide a date for the retirement of the F-22.”
“What I can tell you is that we are very focused on modernization to maintain air superiority combat capabilities for as long as necessary in a highly competitive environment,” he added.
Voorhuis proposed a new Government Reference Architecture Computing Environment (GRACE) as the key to potentially extending the F-22’s service life. He said the open architecture software will allow “non-traditional F-22 software” to be installed on the fighter. He added that it will allow for “additional processing and pilot interfaces.”
The F-22 is also undergoing a number of upgrades as part of a modernization program that aims to invest $7.8 billion by 2030, including $4.7 billion in procurement and $3.1 billion in research and development.
Some of the F-22 Raptor’s anticipated upgrades were revealed in fiscal year 2023 budget documents and official artwork provided by Gen. Mark Kelly, then-Commander of Air Combat Commands. The artwork shows three Raptors with two faceted pods under the wings, a new unidentified air-to-air missile, and a new stealth external fuel tank.
In 2024, the Raptor was spotted with an external fuel tank that appears to be compatible with the tank featured in the artwork. Compared to the existing 600-gallon fuel tank, the new tank, called the Low Drag Tank and Pylon (LDTP), is intended to be more aerodynamically efficient and stealthy.
Additional Raptor enhancements listed in the budget request include a new operational combat program, advanced radar electronic protection, embedded GPS/inertial navigation system (INS) modernization (EGI-M), Link 16, and multifunctional Information Distribution System Integrated Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS), Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), new encrypted radios, and Open Systems Architecture (OSA).
F-22 pilots are also testing new helmets as part of the Next Generation Fixed-Wing Helmet Program. The program is intended to replace the HGU-55P helmet, which has been the standard supply helmet for over 30 years. In addition to this, the F-22 was previously designated as a testbed for NGAD and could potentially receive cutting-edge technology for a sixth-generation fighter.
As a brigadier general. “The F-22 team is hard at work executing a modernization roadmap to deliver advanced sensors, connectivity, weapons and other capabilities,” Vorhuis told reporters last year.