Lockheed Martin has received a $270 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to integrate a system of next-generation infrared defensive sensors on the F-22 Raptor.
The F-22 will soon feature a newly developed, distributed set of embedded TacIRST sensors developed by Lockheed Martin to enhance aircraft survivability and lethality, known as the Infrared Defensive System (IRDS). In addition to managing integration of IRDS on the F-22, the company will also support integration on other platforms.
According to Hank Tucker, vice president of Missions Systems at Lockheed Martin, these infrared systems make missions more survivable for pilots and more lethal against evolving threats from adversaries.