gambit
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Yes, but at a much closer distance than radar. The best advantage IR detection have, as in catching the target unaware, is in a tail chase situation with seeing the target's engine exhausts. However, with the F-22, there is a bit of a catch...I enjoy your post immensely. Thank You.
Tell me something, can new generation aircraft like the F22 be picked up by IRST equipped aircrafts?
Thank You!!
![5th_fighters_front_top.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv699%2Fxu-an%2F5th_fighters_front_top.jpg&hash=5f75f1fd6c507bc8cc55bf0e6fe9fefd)
If you compare the exhausts for the above three aircrafts, you will see the F-22's exhausts as the most recessed or sort of 'hidden' by the rear flight control surfaces, the stabilators. What this mean is that the IR sensor would have less off-angle opportunity against the F-22 than most fighters out there.
![j-20_002_zpsb818f0e8.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv699%2Fxu-an%2Fj-20_002_zpsb818f0e8.jpg&hash=8b3b4e7c0c522cfe50b997fc89c7c2f9)
For the J-20, as example, we are looking at the aircraft pretty much from a 45 deg angle and we clearly see the exhausts -- both of them. This give the IR sensor greater odds against the J-20 than against the F-22.