Home reports air Guided missile IRIS-T fired for the first time from the Korean fighter aircraft KF-21

IRIS-T Abschuss von KF-21 via Diehl — Image sequence of the IRIS-T being shot down by the Korean KF-21 fighter aircraft (Photo: via Diehl)

Guided missile IRIS-T fired for the first time from the Korean fighter aircraft KF-21

May 17, 2024

As part of the development of the Korean fifth-generation fighter aircraft KF-21, the manufacturer Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) fired the air-to-air guided missile IRIS-T (AIM-2000) from Diehl Defense for the first time in May. As Diehl reported on May 17, the guided missile was guided by the onboard AESA radar and successfully hit the target drone. This end-to-end test demonstrates the fighter aircraft's first air-to-air capability and once again underlines the excellent performance of IRIS-T. This test firing is another significant milestone in Korea's most important fighter aircraft program.

Since 2017, KAI and Diehl Defense have been cooperating closely to achieve this goal, writes Diehl. Thanks to the smooth cooperation, the two companies succeeded in further successfully integrating Europe's most modern short-range air-to-air guided missile.

This was preceded by a test firing of an unguided missile a year ago shortly after the first flight of the KF-21 (ESuTreported). This checked the exit behavior.

Diehl also sees the successful live firing of the KF-21 as an important milestone for the success of the IRIS-T program itself. With its upcoming integration into the KF-21, IRIS-T is once again proving its compatibility with both proven and modern systems fighter aircraft. It was only in February 2024 that KAI and Diehl Defense agreed to begin integrating IRIS-T into KAI's FA-50. With IRIS-T on board, both platforms, KF-21 and FA-50, will be prepared for demanding missions.

Image sequence of the IRIS-T being shot down by the Korean KF-21 fighter aircraft (Photo: via Diehl)

The IRIS-T is integrated into important combat aircraft platforms such as Panavia Tornado, Eurofighter Typhoon, JAS-39 Gripen, F-16, EF-18 and F-5, writes Diehl. The system is in use or commissioned by several NATO countries as well as in Brazil, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and South Africa.

The IRIS-T guided missiles in the version for the use of land-based launchers are currently causing a sensation in air defense. The first systems called SL (surface launched) have been in the force since 2020. In Ukraine, the SLM version for medium range has proven itself in the defensive battle against Russia with high numbers of kills. There are now double-digit orders, including from Germany, where the first system is scheduled to be delivered this year. The supply of ammunition is critical. Current demand is almost unlimited.

Editorial staff / gwh

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