Isn't the EOTS more then an IRST?
I think it has a laser designator and a CCD as well?
Damocles pod FLIR/IRST has laser designator. Sniper XR, Gripen, also laser designator. Pirate does not.
The EOTS is a modded Sniper system. The wafers used in the Sniper pod are the same as those used in EOTS and DAS.
The DAS consists of IR sensors just like any other IRST. The only difference between the DAS on the JSF and the FLIR on any other aircraft is the area the sensors are covering, but they do the same thing, searching & tracking in the IR spectra.
The term, IRST, cover both EOTS types and DAS, however, they do vastly different things. The DAS
- sacrifice range over coverage;
- use 6 sensors to for full coverage, staring arrays.
The objective is to have full awareness WVR.
If SAAB could retrofit flare dispensers AND MAW sensors in the Gripen C/D next to the engine without any redesigning I think it would be possible to find some extra space in the Typhoon. And since that aircraft has plenty of growth potential a slightly larger fuselage could be one possibility.
Was the countermeasures and MAWS anticipated upgrades? If so it was taken into account at the design stage (I'll admit I don't know if it was, but if I should make a qualified guess, I'd say it was). The MAWs that Gripen uses is a much, much smaller and limited system, i.e. detection of SHORAD missiles and WVR missiles.
Or why not make the wingtip pods...
Here you face the problem upgrades that were not anticipated at design stage: pods, bulges, etc...
2-3 feet longer and put a rearward facing rotatable IRST in each one of them, that would give the aircraft an almost 360 degree coverage in combination with a sensor in front of the pilot and one downward facing sensor under him, you dont need 6 sensors unless they are flat like in the DAS system.
DAS = 6 x
large staring arrays. Fewer sensors and probability of detection and effective range drops with fewer and lesser sensors.
My point is that the functionality of the DAS can be incorporated in any other fighter. The DAS wont be operational until 2015 or even later, and by that time several other fighters could have similar systems, since there are plenty of companies with the knowhow needed to build such a system.
Others could build it, I agree, however existing designs would struggle to incorporate it.
Do you really think any country will sign a binding contract before they know the price???
No, but that's not what I said (or tried to say).
The price can vary because exact numbers to be ordered is unknown and acutal orders will be signed 3 years before delivery. Consider that Denmark, Holland and Norway will need their jets from 2015-2016. Take Denmark: The type selection was shifted from spring this year to the fall, while numbers to be ordered was shifted from fall to spring (a little tactical maneuver in domestic politics). But contract is still to be signed in 2012-2013 - that's 3-4 years away, as time draws nigh a lot of unknowns will be known (no Rumsfeld jokes, please) and a price can be accurately determined. Price varies, but not much, from factors like how many and at what rate partner jets are to be produced.
But were still in the 60 million usd range.
) - on the Gripen or the EF. Not doable. "No real estate."
