S-31E2 KOLS. World's first OLS (optical laser system), an alternative to radar

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

S-31E2 KOLS entered service in 1982 on MiG-29.

OLS (optical laser system) combines IRST (infrared search and track) which was first deployed on F-4 in the early 1960s and laser rangefinder which was first deployed on tanks in the late 1970s.

OLS is the first type of system that uses passive sensing and laser ranging. Whereas radar uses active radio wave emission and reception for searching, tracking, ranging, OLS uses passive infrared wave reception for searching and tracking and uses active light emission and reception for ranging.

Other OLS include OLS-27 used on Su-27, OLS-30 used on Su-30, OLS-35 used on Su-35, Pirate used on Eurofighter Typhoon, Optronique secteur frontal used on Rafale, Skyward-G used on Gripen E, AN/ASQ-28 used on F-16 E, Tiger Eyes IRST pod used on F/A-18 E/F, Legion IRST pod used on F-15, 101KS 'Atoll' used on Su-57, an OLS used on J-10B and JF-17 Block 3 whose name is unknown, a DAS used on F-35 and J-20 whose name is unknown.

Modern OLS can also do thermal imaging.

 

[Ultima Thule]

S-31E2 KOLS entered service in 1982 on MiG-29.

OLS (optical laser system) combines IRST (infrared search and track) which was first deployed on F-4 in the early 1960s and laser rangefinder which was first deployed on tanks in the late 1970s.

OLS is the first type of system that uses passive sensing and laser ranging. Whereas radar uses active radio wave emission and reception for searching, tracking, ranging, OLS uses passive infrared wave reception for searching and tracking and uses active light emission and reception for ranging.

Other OLS include OLS-27 used on Su-27, OLS-30 used on Su-30, OLS-35 used on Su-35, Pirate used on Eurofighter Typhoon, Optronique secteur frontal used on Rafale, Skyward-G used on Gripen E, AN/ASQ-28 used on F-16 E, Tiger Eyes IRST pod used on F/A-18 E/F, Legion IRST pod used on F-15, 101KS 'Atoll' used on Su-57, an OLS used on J-10B and JF-17 Block 3 whose name is unknown, a DAS used on F-35 and J-20 whose name is unknown.

Modern OLS can also do thermal imaging.

Its not alternative to radars but rather complementary @undertakerwwefan

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

Its not alternative to radars but rather complementary @undertakerwwefan

It could replace radar because it receives electro magnetic radiation just like radar does. IRST is getting more and more sensitive and longer and longer ranged. F-16 radar range only 60 km now it can do 120 km. Early IRST like MiG-29 could only do 40 km now they can do more than 100 km.

 

[Ultima Thule]

It could replace radar because it receives electro magnetic radiation just like radar does. IRST is getting more and more sensitive and longer and longer ranged. F-16 radar range only 60 km now it can do 120 km. Early IRST like MiG-29 could only do 40 km now they can do more than 100 km.

Prove me that F-16 radar range is 60 km, WE (pakistan) using F-16 blk-52+, APG-68 V9 radar range is 300 km, even our F-7 (MIG-21 clone) has a radar range of 60 km and IRST has a minimal resolution to lock on the targets at long ranges and IRST can't guide IR missile to its targets @undertakerwwefan

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

Prove me that F-16 radar range is 60 km, WE (pakistan) using F-16 blk-52+, APG-68 V9 radar range is 300 km, even our F-7 (MIG-21 clone) has a radar range of 60 km and IRST has a minimal resolution to lock on the targets at long ranges and IRST can't guide IR missile to its targets @undertakerwwefan

Early F-16 radar APG-66 range about 60 km. Now latest range range about 120 km.

IRST can't guide IR missile to its targets

Radar and IRST don't guide BVR missiles. The plane does. There are IR guided BVR air to air missiles.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MICA_(missile)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R-27_(air-to-air_missile)

 

[Ultima Thule]

Early F-16 radar APG-66 range about 60 km. Now latest range range about 120 km.

APG-66 is no more, APG-68 V9 has a range of 300 km, want a prove @undertakerwwefan

Radar and IRST don't guide BVR missiles. The plane does. There are IR guided BVR air to air missiles.

Do reasech before yo bark here radar can lock and guide BVR to its targets but IRST can't, IR BVR can be fire at general area of the targets , at the terminal phase their IR seeker will find its targets, go research then come here to bark @undertakerwwefan

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

Do reasech before yo bark here radar can lock and guide BVR to its targets but IRST can't

You only need direction of the enemy plane. The missile is guided in that direction. You don't need the location of the enemy plane.

 

[Ultima Thule]

You only need direction of the enemy plane. The missile is guided in that direction. You don't need the location of the enemy plane.

Less precise than active radar guided BVR, and target can change its directions with time, IR guided air to air missile work best at only short ranges but at long rages they lost precision @undertakerwwefan

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

Less precise than active radar guided BVR, and target can change its directions with time, IR guided air to air missile work best at only short ranges but at long rages they lost precision @undertakerwwefan

The IR sensor only becomes active in the terminal stage, just like radar does in active radar BVR missiles.

 

[Ultima Thule]

The IR sensor only becomes active in the terminal stage, just like radar does in active radar BVR missiles.

But active radar guided BVR data can be updated via data link in mid flight by the firing plate-form @undertakerwwefan

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

But active radar guided BVR data can be updated via data link in mid flight by the firing plate-form @undertakerwwefan

So can IRST guided BVR missiles. Data link is separate from terminal guidance system which is either radar or IRST.

 

[nahtanbob]

does OLS work in rainy weather ?