The US Navy (USN) has awarded Boeing a USD60.4 million contract for the procurement of six low rate initial production (LRIP) AN/ASG-34 infrared search-and-track (IRST) systems for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet combat aircraft, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced on 16 January.
The contract, which was approved in December 2014 and awarded the day prior to the announcement, is expected to be completed in August 2017.
In December 2014 the Naval systems Air Command (NAVAIR) cleared the IRST for LRIP following trials flown out of Edwards Air Force Base in California. Developed by Lockheed Martin, with Boeing and General Electric, the AN/ASG-34 is not integrated into the aircraft, but is instead housed in a modified centreline drop tank.
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The IRST is a passive system that enables the host aircraft to locate, track and engage airborne and ground targets without giving their own position away, as would happen if they were to use their radar system instead.
Industry officials have talked up the utility of IRST as a means of negating stealth technology by locating the aircraft through its raised engine temperature and through aerodynamic heating as the target moves through the air.
Unlike most other IRST systems that are fully integrated with their host aircraft, the AN/ASG-34 is designed to be carried in a modified centreline drop tank. Boeing officials have previously told IHS Jane's that locating the IRST underneath the aircraft should have no adverse effect on its ability to identify and track aircraft that might be flying higher than the Super Hornet, and that at 10 miles (16 km) from the target aircraft it will provide unlimited visibility up to 60,000 ft (as high as any target would fly).
Related article: US Navy approves Super Hornet IRST for low-rate initial production
