July 4, 2002 at 9:49 am
EUROPE’S NEW IRIS-T MISSILE MARKETED TO GULF
LONDON [MENL] — Gulf Cooperation Council states are examining a new European short-range air-to-air missile as part of the weapons platform for their new F-16 fleets.
Germany’s BGT has been meeting with GCC air force and Defense Ministry representatives to discuss the Iris-T. Executives said BGT has assessed that the short-range air-to-air missile can compete with U.S. and other European competitors in such countries as Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
The marketing campaign has been bolstered by the current trials of the Iris-T. The company reported a successful engagement of a Mirach 100/5 drone target on March 14. Since then, BGT has prepared or conducted additional flights. Their results have not been yet reported.
The infra-red guided Iris-T has been touted as a replacement for the U.S. AIM-9L Sidewinder. The company said that trial tests have demonstrated the superiority of the Iris-T over the AIM-9L in the launch angle and precision achieved.
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Link: http://www.menewsline.com/stories/2002/july/07_03_4.html
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