Wrong, because the laser guidance is used mainly in CAS from far lower distances, because the threat potential to the fighter is low. In SEAD, weapons like HARM, KH31, JSOW, SDB1/SPICE/AASM, or cruise missiles are used from greater ranges and none of them use laser guidance, if at all IR or EO seekers and data links for terminal guidance and corrections.
SPEAR 3 uses the seeker of the standard Brimstone, that's why it will have laser guidance too, not because it's relevant to SEAD.
That wrong,
SDB II has laser guided seeker
AASM has laser guided version
SPEAR 3 also has laser guided seeker.
Extremely long range cruise missiles like JSM or JASSM don't have laser guided but rely on IIR and datalink instead because the laser from launcher aircraft can't reach that distance anyway and they are supposed to be use for deep penetration.
KH-31 and HARM are a different class of SEAD weapon altogether since they are intended for fast reaction time.
Lol right, so any targeting pod that has some A2A targeting capability, is equal to a fully fledged IRST like OLS, or Pirate
Exactly, there is no magical reason giving an IRST superior detection range to targeting pod, the main advantage of internal IRST is a reduction in drag and RCS, that pretty much it. Another difference is that IRST often have automatic tracking mode, but you can add that to any pod if you wanted to. Nevermind that OLS detection range is quite inferior to many FLIR.
Why do you think the F35 is the only US fighter that uses Sniper pod technology for limited IRST capabilities,
There is nothing limited about F-35 IRST, it already has 2 different IRST system working in conjunction namely EOTS and DAS.
Normally FLIR by itself doesn't have automatic air to air scan mode, but that something EOTS already integrated so it is exactly the same as a normal IRST. A very common miscoception is that because EOTS is delivered from Sniper-XR, therefore, it is exactly the same as an internal Sniper-XR pod, that is wrong.
Look at the difference between EOTS and Sniper-XR ATP
while F15, 16, 18 getting upgraded with a proper IRST system.
Firstly, because their FLIR pod don't have automatic A2A tracking mode like F-35 does.
Secondly, IRST21 operate in 8-12 micron range while Sniper-XR operate in 3-5 microns range so a poded IRST system extend the spectrum that sensor of US 4 gen aircraft operate in
Why is Thales advertising limited IRST capability via Damocles pod or MICA IR for Rafale F3R, until they have FSO-NG ready in the Rafale F4?
Because Damocles pod doesn't have auto track while scan mode for air to air role like EOTS does. Damocles also create significant drag and RCS compared to an internal system.
IR sensor of MICA is far far far inferior to any dedicated FLIR or IRST in resolution and aperture so obviously it can't replace IRST
+ LWR and the rear facing radar, if that will remain a feature in the operational version.
That is utter nonsense, Su-57 doesn't have either laser warning receiver nor does it has a rear facing radar.
Either way, Su 57 has superior radar
Superior how?
N036 has 1552 T/R modules
APG-81 has 1626 T/R modules
As both operate in X-band, they should be roughly similar
Not that radar will make any difference if 2 stealth fighter go head to head anyway.
IRST detection capability to a far greater FoR
Exactly how does Su-57 has better Field of regard for IRST detection than F-35?
DAS already gave 360 degree field of regard
If you try to argue that as, because EOTS is under F-35 nose, it can't use EOTS to detect aircraft at higher altitude, then applying the same logic, Su-57 can't use OLS-50 to detect target at lower altitude. Beside, it is much more likely for F-35 to cruise with pitch up nose than it is for Su-57 to cruise with pitch down nose, since positive AoA will add lift at least