Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

[RadicalDisconnect]

Is it me or are these EO apertures very large compared to all other fighter IRSTs I’ve seen? Looks easily 50% wider than AN/ASG-34 IRST21, and the F-22 has two of them.

 

[Forest Green]

Is it me or are these EO apertures very large compared to all other fighter IRSTs I’ve seen? Looks easily 50% wider than AN/ASG-34 IRST21, and the F-22 has two of them.

I'm guessing the two might be for triangulation, since IRST gives a very accurate bearing but is poor on range information.

 

[Elysium]

I'm guessing the two might be for triangulation, since IRST gives a very accurate bearing but is poor on range information.

I think since these are likely low resolution (single pixel, or a few dozen at most) type IRST, aka the only type that works for medium to long wave IR, because of diffraction limits, it might make sense to put on two of them, to scan the sky twice as fast, or have one track while the other scans.

 

[quellish]

I think since these are likely low resolution (single pixel, or a few dozen at most) type IRST, aka the only type that works for medium to long wave IR, because of diffraction limits, it might make sense to put on two of them, to scan the sky twice as fast, or have one track while the other scans.

They apparently use a new type of sensor. There are two of them to increase field of view and to allow ranging. A pod could not be mounted on the centerline so they made lemonade.

Surprised no one has commented on the asymmetric instrumentation on the recent photos.