Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 38:34-39:41

Royal Navy infrared sensors and the unanswered IRIS-T question

British warships already use infrared surveillance and tracking, while the question of integrating the IRIS-T missile remains unanswered.

Infrared SensorsIRIS-TRoyal NavyType 23 Frigate
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Question

Should the Royal Navy integrate navalized IRIS-T into its ships?

Short answer

British ships already field substantial infrared surveillance and tracking, but the response does not assess integration of the IRIS-T missile.

Notes

Royal Navy ships have extensive camera and infrared tracking equipment. Alex recalls a Type 23 video showing several camera modes tracking small boats in the Strait of Hormuz, and is fairly sure that one mode was infrared. That recollection concerns surveillance and tracking equipment. Whether the ships should integrate the IRIS-T missile remains unanswered.