Advanced Aggressor Fighter Gets Cutting-Edge IRST | Aero-News Network
Aero-News Network
RSS icon RSS feed
podcast icon MP3 podcast
Subscribe Aero-News e-mail Newsletter Subscribe

Airborne Unlimited -- Most Recent Daily Episodes

Episode Date

Airborne-Monday

Airborne-Tuesday

Airborne-Wednesday Airborne-Thursday

Airborne-Friday

Airborne On YouTube

Airborne-Unlimited-12.08.25

AirborneNextGen-
12.02.25

Airborne-Unlimited-12.03.25

Airborne-FltTraining-12.04.25

AirborneUnlimited-12.05.25

AFE 2025 LIVE MOSAIC Town Hall (Archived): www.airborne-live.net

Sun, Sep 08, 2024

Advanced Aggressor Fighter Gets Cutting-Edge IRST

Top Aces Integrates Capability Into F-16 Falcons

Top Aces Corporation announced the integration of an infrared search and track (IRST) capability into its F-16 Advanced Aggressor Fighter (AAF) aircraft.

The IRST technology measures infrared radiation and is used in military and aerospace settings to detect, track, and identify targets. The integration of this technology into aggressor aircraft promises to enhance the training experience for U.S. Air Force fighter pilots.

The F-16 aircraft used by Top Aces for adversary air (ADAIR) training are already equipped with active electronically scanned array (EASA) radar, a helmet-mounted cueing system, and Link-16 capabilities. They have been upgraded with the cutting-edge Northrop Grumman OpenPod™. The integral Leonardo state-of-the-art SkyWard scanning IRST is a passive long-wave IR sensor that provides early target detection and engagement beyond visual range. It allows Top Aces pilots to slave one advanced sensor to another and optimizes their ability to challenge 5th Generation tactics across all phases of air-to-air combat training engagements.

Top Aces collaborated with Leonardo, Northrop Grumman, Coherent Technical Services Inc., and Seger Aviation LLC to integrate the IRST on its F-16 AAF, representing the first in its industry.

Russ Quinn, President of Top Aces and a USAF vet and former Aggressor pilot, said, “We’re delighted to add this advanced IRST capability to our ADAIR training portfolio. Fitted with Top Aces’ open architecture ‘Advanced Aggressor Mission System’ (AAMS), our F-16 AAF will continue to rapidly integrate a range of high-tech sensors to meet evolving customer requirements.”

Quinn added, “The Air Force needs a highly capable adversary to train against. We firmly believe our F-16 AAF platform, combined with our highly experienced personnel, offer the most realistic and cost-effective solution to prepare the next generation of combat leaders.”

FMI:  topaces.us/

Advertisement

More News

NTSB Final Report: Patriot Aircraft LLC CX1900A

After Draining Both Wing Fuel Tanks, A Significant Amount Of Water Was Observed In The Right Wing Fuel Tank Analysis: The pilot, who was also the owner of the experimental amateur->[...]

Aero-News: Quote of the Day (12.06.25)

“Airbus apologises for any challenges and delays caused to passengers and airlines by this event. The Company thanks its customers, the authorities, its employees and all rel>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Term (12.06.25): High Speed Taxiway

High Speed Taxiway A long radius taxiway designed and provided with lighting or marking to define the path of aircraft, traveling at high speed (up to 60 knots), from the runway ce>[...]

ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (12.06.25)

Aero Linx: Taylorcraft Foundation, Inc. The Taylorcraft Foundation is exclusively organized for charitable, educational & scientific activities and will preserve the history an>[...]

Airborne-NextGen 12.02.25: Honda eVTOL, Arctus High-Alt UAS, Samson Patent

Also: USAF Reaper Accident, Baikonur Damage, Horizon eVTOL IFR/FIKI, New Glenn Update Honda has outlined its clearest timeline yet for its entry into the world of electric vertical>[...]

blog comments powered by Disqus



Advertisement

Advertisement

Podcasts

Advertisement

© 2007 - 2025 Web Development & Design by Pauli Systems, LC