Infrared Acquisition and Designation System (IRADS)

The Raytheon [ex Texas Instruments] Infrared Acquisition and Designation System (IRADS) provides the F-117 aircraft with target acquisition and designation capabilities. IRADS consists of a laser designator and a Downward-Looking Infrared (DLIR) system. The system is mounted in a recess to the right of the nose landing gear well under the forward fuselage. The recess is covered by a radar absorbing material [RAM] mesh screen to preserve the aircraft's stealth features. The DLIR is equiped with an integral bore-sighted laser illuminator that is slaved to the DLIR.

On January 24, 1995 Texas Instruments, Incorporated, Defense Systems and Electronics Group, Dallas, Texas, was awarded a $5,788,930 face value increase to a firm-fixed-price contract for 10 turret upgrade kits for the Infrared Acquisition Designation System (IRADS) applicable to the F-117 aircraft. The contract was expected to be completed October 1998.

References

• F-117 @ Elevon