Editing Eurofighter Typhoon (section)

====IRST{{Anchor|IRST}}====
{{main|EuroFIRST PIRATE}}

{{Anchor|PIRATE}}The Passive Infra-Red Airborne Track Equipment (PIRATE) system is an [[infrared search and track]] (IRST) system mounted on the port side of the fuselage, forward of the windscreen. Selex ES is the lead contractor which, along with [[Thales Optronics]] (system technical authority) and Tecnobit of Spain, make up the EUROFIRST consortium responsible for the system's design and development. Eurofighters starting with Tranche{{nbsp}}1 block{{nbsp}}5 have the PIRATE. The first Eurofighter Typhoon with PIRATE-IRST was delivered to the Italian [[Aeronautica Militare]] in August 2007.<ref name="PIRATE" /> More advanced targeting capabilities can be provided with the addition of a targeting pod such as the [[Litening]] pod.<ref name="AUSTERE2" />

[[File:Aeronautica Militare Typhoon IRST (27476944291).jpg|thumb|PIRATE IRST]]
When used with the radar in an air-to-air role, it functions as an infrared search and track system, providing passive target detection and tracking. The system can detect variations in temperature at a long range.<ref name="PIRATE2" /> It also provides a navigation and landing aid. PIRATE is linked to the pilot's [[helmet-mounted display]].<ref name="Airforce-TechEF2000" /> It allows the detection of both hot exhaust plumes of jet engines and surface heating caused by friction; processing techniques further enhance the output, giving a near-high resolution image of targets. The output can be directed to any of the Multi-function Head Down Displays, and can also be overlaid on both the Helmet Mounted Sight and the Head Up Display.

Up to 200 targets can be simultaneously tracked using one of several different modes; Multiple Target Track (MTT), Single Target Track (STT), Single Target Track Ident (STTI), Sector Acquisition and Slaved Acquisition. In MTT mode the system will scan a designated volume space looking for potential targets. In STT mode PIRATE will provide tracking of a single designated target. An addition to this mode, STT Ident allows for visual identification of the target, the resolution being superior to CAPTOR's. When in Sector Acquisition mode PIRATE will scan a volume of space under direction of another onboard sensor such as CAPTOR. In Slave Acquisition, off-board sensors are used with PIRATE being commanded by data obtained from an AWACS or other source. When a target is found in either of these modes, PIRATE will automatically designate it and switch to STT.{{citation needed|date=May 2020}}

Once a target has been tracked and identified, PIRATE can be used to cue an appropriately equipped short range missile, i.e. a missile with a high off-boresight tracking capability such as ASRAAM. Additionally the data can be used to augment that of Captor or off-board sensor information via the AIS. This should enable the Typhoon to overcome severe ECM environments and still engage its targets.<ref name="Paul S. Owen" /> PIRATE also has a passive ranging capability<ref name="PIRATE3" /> although the system remains limited when providing passive firing solutions, as it does not have a [[laser rangefinder]].