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| US Air Force B-52 Stratofortress Equipped with IRIS System |
International Military - B-52 Stratofortress looks set to appear with a 'new face', where it will be equipped with new communication capabilities. The new communication capability can also be called beyond the line of sight called IRIS.
In this regard, the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron conducted the first aerial demonstration. The demonstration uses the BLOS communication system paired with the Iridium Certus terminal on a B-52 Stratofortress at Barksdale Air Force Base, October 22, 2022.
Quoted from Military Leak, it all started when the bomber crew took to the sky. What followed was the combat operations team from the 608th Air Operations Center providing command and control and assessing the voice and data transfer capabilities of the IRIS-equipped B-52 to include real-time image and video transmission.
The IRIS system, which utilizes the Iridium NEXT Low Earth Orbit satellite constellation ensures complete global coverage. In this case, the IRIS system is known as one of the main features in air combat. Without this communication system, failure can occur.
The IRIS system is one of the many data link solutions we need to equip fighters for today's combat," said Captain Richard Brown, commander of the 49th Conventional TES test flight.
Quoted from af.mil, the B-52H Stratofortress is a long-range heavy bomber that can carry out various missions. The bomber is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes of up to 50,000 feet (15,166.6 meters). It can also carry conventional nuclear-guided or precision-guided weapons with precision navigation capabilities around the world.
In conventional conflicts, the B-52 can carry out strategic strike, close air support, air interdiction, air and maritime counterattack operations. All B-52s can be equipped with two forward-looking electro-optical to infrared display sensors.
The B-52 Bomber is also equipped with an advanced targeting pod for enhanced targeting, combat assessment and flight safety, further enhancing its combat capability.
With the IRIS system, it is hoped that this weapon can complement the B-52 Stratofortress to remain relevant to today's battles.