Matrix Games Forums

Out of curiosity I created a scenario of 2 F-22 vs 2 J-20. The scenario started with aircraft 260 miles apart. Both sides were put on an AAW patrol mission (radar off) within the same area half way between their mutual starting points. I ran the scenario multiple times and the J-20 won by a large margin, mainly because it detected the F-22 by IR first. Almost every time the first thing the F-22 detected was a missile contrail.

If I changed scenario so both sides had radar on from start, they were both detected at much longer range from ELINT. J-20 usually detected F-22 about 70 miles and F-22 detected J-20 right from the start at 260 miles. It was pretty close in this scenario.

If this is realistic the lack of IRST on the F-22 is a big disadvantage.

If the sky is clear, the F-22 is at a higher altitude than the J-20 or over the ocean, and the IRST manages to find it (they have pretty narrow FOVs IIRC), then yeah, it's going to "see" the F-22 first.

I don't think IRST is enough for a missile launch, though; it gives bearing but not range, speed, or altitude (other than lower/higher than the launching plane), which means that the J-20 would still have to either go active or get close enough for a heater before launching -- both of which partially negate the advantages given by a first detection. IRST is more useful for vectoring yourself towards an enemy you already have an approximate location for than it is for launching on them.

You also have to remember that battles don't happen in a vacuum. There are going to be other platforms operating on both sides, which greatly complicates matters and makes it hard to say whether IRST is a large advantage. It's better to have it than not, but as far as I know having it is not a huge advantage except in situations that would be unlikely to actually occur.