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The Raytheon [ex Texas Instruments] Infrared Acquisition and Designation System (IRADS) provides the F-117 aircraft with target acquisition and designation capabilities. IRADS consists of a laser designator and a Downward-Looking Infrared (DLIR) system. The system is mounted in a recess to the right of the nose landing gear well under the forward fuselage. The recess is covered by a radar absorbing material [RAM] mesh screen to preserve the aircraft's stealth features. The DLIR is equiped with an integral bore-sighted laser illuminator that is slaved to the DLIR.

On January 24, 1995 Texas Instruments, Incorporated, Defense Systems and Electronics Group, Dallas, Texas, was awarded a $5,788,930 face value increase to a firm-fixed-price contract for 10 turret upgrade kits for the Infrared Acquisition Designation System (IRADS) applicable to the F-117 aircraft. The contract was expected to be completed October 1998.

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http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/smart/irads.htm
Maintained by Robert Sherman
Originally created by John Pike
Updated Thursday, February 05, 1998 11:42:05 AM