Are they sure about that, the US has actively pursued a dedicated IRST/FLIR pod based on the exact same operating principles as PIRATE whilst also having exceptionally capable TPOD’s?
A TPOD is definitely more versatile as PIRATE can only queue self-designating A2G munitions but I don’t really see why the US would pursue an IRST/FLIR for A2A purposes when their own TPOD’s can fullfill such a role (and have been doing so).
You seemed to have suggested to have a little bit of insider conversation on the topic so I am genuinely curious.
Only Paveway II and Enhanced Paveway II.
But in War Thunder terms being able to use 1000lb EPWs instead of 500lb PWIVs, doesn’t seem like a problem to me.
litening G4 (upgraded III) is just a much newer system. newer sensor, newer tech, etc. PIRATE in comparison it just outdated.
a modern dedicated IRST could maybe still ouperform it but looking at the F-35s, the trend is really a fully integrated system…
but tbh i dont know what the US is doing here with those external pods. maybe they feel like they need those on some platforms…
it cant look up like in a dogfight but the tpod sticks out quite far from the fuselage and is angled slightly down so it can look up enough at longer distances
Ive run across some article talking about its development/ supposed features and apparently it should do something similar to PESA.
When scanning and lets say your priority target is 30° on your left. It should momentarily jump on that target whenever its on 30° left, no matter the bar, it should quickly rotate, get info and continue in scan. This alone should point towards very quick scan rate.
I wonder if this will be added. But if the scan will be speed of tornado, not that its needed to be fair.
A youngster’s dreams about how many amraams a Typhoon can carry. He saw a double pylon for amraams in one of the presentation videos and got overexcited about it.
