IRST Block II reaches IOC, chief weapons tester notes persistent hardware and software deficiencies

The Navy declared initial operational capability for the F/A-18 E/F Infrared Search and Track Block II system in November 2024, according to a Navy spokesperson -- a milestone that follows reliability problems found during operational testing.

IRST Block II will allow Super Hornet squadrons to detect and track targets from a distance and in environments where radar may prove ineffective. Operational testing of the system was completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, according to the latest annual report released by the Office of the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation last week.

“Data analysis is ongoing, but operational test events were adversely affected by IRST Block II system reliability failures,” the report states. “The Navy conducted operational testing with infrared optimized configuration (IROC) pods, which are an operationally equivalent pod designated for flight test.”

Initial operational test and evaluation, which identified “significant reliability problems,” was completed between April and September of last year.

“Throughout the test period, IRST Block II suffered from hardware and software deficiencies, which required the aircrew to restart the pod multiple times,” according to the report. “Troubleshooting and repair often exceeded the abilities of Navy maintenance crews and required assistance from Lockheed Martin.”

Once IOT&E data analysis is ongoing, a classified report will be published by DOT&E in the second quarter of FY-25.