A single AIRS-T mounted to the wing of an EF-24G.
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The AIRS-T is an advanced short range, heat-seeking, air-to-air missile developed mainly as an alternative to the AIM-9.
It boasts a number of improvements over the AIM-9, including significantly stronger IRCCM resistance, acceleration speed, maneuverability, and overall effective range. It is generally superior in all regards to the AIM-9 and is a better option to utilize if cost and availability aren't immediate issues.
Just like with the AIM-9, the AIRS-T has a small variety of different targeting modes that can be configured through a fighter's weapon management MFCD page:
The AIRS-T is a short range infrared-guided missile, used in dog-fighting and pop-up attacks when radar-guided missiles are no longer practical. When the missile is selected, it will emit a low tone when not targeting a heat signature. Once it identifies a heat signature, its tone will increase; a stronger tone designates a more reliable lock. A predicted intercept point will also be displayed on the HUD, leading the target aircraft when you have obtained a strong lock. The missile has much higher maneuverability than other missiles like the AIM-120C, letting it maneuver more sharply to hit its target. The AIRS-T is more expensive than the AIM-9, but a better option in all regards. While the missile can fire and track at extreme angles, aligning your aircraft closer to the predicted impact point and closing range will always improve results.
Though it's not the missile's main function, the AIRS-T is capable of targeting and intercepting incoming Surface-to-Air Missiles. This technique is most effective if the SAM is still in its booster stage, when its heat signature is most prominent.
Warning: Please take care when firing any IR missile in close proximity to friendly units. The IR missiles will reliably track whichever heat source is targeted, but if a friendly aircraft passes in front of the missile, especially if their heat signature is stronger, the missile's seeker could become confused and target them instead. Stick to your Cannons if you are dogfighting near allies.
A single AIRS-T mounted to the wing of an EF-24G.