The U.S. Air Force has issued a formal request to defense contractors to develop a new infrared search and track (IRST) system for its F‑15 fleet. The system would allow aircraft to detect, track, and engage airborne targets without emitting radar signals, thereby remaining undetected by enemy sensors.
Current IRST pods, such as the AN/ASG‑34 mounted on some F‑15s, are installed beneath the aircraft’s fuselage, limiting fuel or weapons capacity and affecting maneuverability. The Air Force is looking for a nose‑mounted IRST that would integrate more seamlessly with the F‑15EX’s AN/APG‑82(V)1 radar and mission computer, providing a wider field of view and better detection of stealth fighters.
This move comes as other nations—China’s J‑20, Russia’s Su‑35S, and the Eurofighter Typhoon—have long fielded integrated IRST systems. The U.S. aims to close the capability gap in its F‑15 fleet.