IRIS-T

Also known as

AIM-2000
IRIS-T missile
Infra Red Imaging System Tail/Thrust Vector-Controlled
Rb 98
IRIS-T AAM

IRIS-T is a short-range imaging-infrared air-to-air missile developed through a European cooperation program with Diehl Defence as prime contractor. Diehl says the missile combines thrust-vector and aerodynamic control, is used by aircraft including Eurofighter, F-16, EF-18, Tornado, and Gripen, and is also employed unchanged as the short-range effector in the IRIS-T SLS ground-based air-defense system.

IRIS-T, Short-range air-to-air missile, Munitions

Image source: AIM-2000 IRIS-T Wikimedia Commons

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: Germany / European consortium
Built by: Diehl Defence
Built in: Germany
Type: Short-range air-to-air missile
Service note: 2000s-present
Designer: Diehl Defence
Produced: 2005-present

guided missile air-to-air infrared homing

Specifications

Role: Short-range air-to-air missile; surface-launched effector in IRIS-T SLS
Guidance: Imaging infrared seeker with intelligent image processing
Control: Thrust-vector and aerodynamic control
Targeting: Airborne radar or pilot helmet-sight target designation
Aircraft integration: Eurofighter, F-16, EF-18, Tornado, and Gripen listed by Diehl
Surface-launched use: Employed in IRIS-T SLS for object and short-range protection
Production: Produced by Diehl Defence since 2005 with industrial partners from six European program nations

Launch Systems

Diehl documents IRIS-T as both aircraft armament and a surface-launched effector in its ground-based air-defense family.

Launcher

Launcher type

Launch evidence

IRIS-T SLS, Short-range surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Short-range ground-based launcher

Diehl describes IRIS-T SLS as using the same IRIS-T air-to-air missile hardware as a surface-to-air effector, with role-dependent software loaded during launcher preparation.

Sources: IRIS-T SLS Product Tab, IRIS-T Guided Missile Product Tab

Timeline

IRIS-T Key Events

Jan 1, 2005
Missile production begins
Diehl says it has produced IRIS-T since 2005 in cooperation with industrial partners from the six European program nations.
Sources: IRIS-T Guided Missile Product Tab
Jan 1, 2016
Norwegian sea-target firing
Diehl says the Norwegian Air Force demonstrated IRIS-T's ability to engage sea targets in a 2016 test firing.
Sources: IRIS-T Guided Missile Product Tab

Media

IRIS-T Images

IRIS-T, Short-range air-to-air missile, Munitions - view 1 — Source: IRIS-T Air-to-Air Missile Wikimedia Commons

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Sources

IRIS-T Guided Missile Product TabPublisher: Diehl Defence | Note: Supports IRIS-T program background, prime-contractor context, air-to-air role, aircraft integration, production since 2005, and surface-launched use in IRIS-T SLS. | Accessed: 2026-06-30 IRIS-T SLS Product TabPublisher: Diehl Defence | Note: Supports the relationship between IRIS-T and IRIS-T SLS, including the use of the same air-to-air missile hardware in the ground-to-air role. | Accessed: 2026-06-30 Saab IRIS-T Product PagePublisher: Saab | Note: Supports Swedish designation and broader IRIS-T user and Gripen-integration context. | Accessed: 2026-06-30 AIM-2000 IRIS-T Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports primary image provenance; Wikimedia Commons marks the file as public domain. | Accessed: 2026-06-30 IRIS-T Air-to-Air Missile Wikimedia CommonsPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports gallery image provenance and CC BY-SA 3.0 licensing for an IRIS-T missile image. | Accessed: 2026-06-30