Flight Testing of the Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) Sensor on the Electronic Combat and Reconnaissance (ECR) Tornado

This paper presents details of the flight testing of the Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) sensor integrated into the German Electronic Combat And Reconnaissance (ECR) Tornado aircraft. A brief description of the ECR operational requirements and the key avionic equipment is given. The technical features of the FLIR system and its integration into the aircraft arc presented as are the flight test methods used in assessing its performance. Test facilities are addressed as arc test results. The FLIR system for the ECR Tornado was shown to provide a useful pilot and WSO sight/ navigation aid and to provide an assistance to reconnaissance tasks. The FLIR system has also been shown to meet its specified range-resolution requirements.