[19] In August 1980, the USA, the UK, Germany and France signed a Memorandum of understanding which aimed to develop two types of AAMs to replace existing ones.

After German reunification in 1990, Germany found itself with large stockpiles of the Soviet Vympel R-73 missiles (NATO reporting name: AA-11 Archer) carried by the MiG-29 Fulcrum and concluded that the AA-11's capabilities had been noticeably underestimated.

[29] NAMMO Raufoss supplies the rocket engine with its TVC (thrust vector control) for both the IRIS-T air-to-air missile and the SL variants.

[34] Its seeker can receive cues from radar, helmet mounted display, infrared search and track device, missile approach warner and data link.

[35] It can engage targets behind the launching aircraft, made possible by extreme close-in agility, allowing turns of 60 g at a rate of 60°/s via thrust vectoring and LOAL capability.

To improve the probability of a direct hit, the missile is equipped with a Ku band[38] active radar proximity fuze.

They have a high probability of a killing shot against UAVs and other small manoeuvring threats at very-short and medium-range distances.

[43] The Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) has tested a new air-to-surface capability developed by Diehl BGT Defence for the IRIS-T. A proof of concept test firing to acquire, track, and engage a target representing a small fast attack boat was conducted in Norway in September 2016, where the IRIS-T missile was launched from an RNoAF F-16AM multirole aircraft.

For the air-to-surface role, the missile retains the same standard IRIS-T AAM hardware configuration, including the HE warhead and IIR guidance package, with only an updated software insertion required to deliver the additional ground attack capability.

[44] This basic air-to-ground capability provides the ability to acquire, track and engage individual ground targets like boats, ships, small buildings and vehicles.

[9] In 2018, Diehl Defence demonstrated a Bv 410-based IRIS-T SLS system integrated with a Saab Giraffe 1X radar during the ILA.

In 2019, the Swedish Army fielded a ground launched version of the IRIS-T SLS, designated Luftvärnsrobotsystem 98 (lvrbs 98), to replace the RBS 70 missile system.

It was a modified Mowag Eagle 6×6 armored vehicle integrated with IRIS-T SLS launcher, Hensoldt Spexer 2000 3D AESA, and a .50 machine gun in the remote controlled weapon station.

The missile uses a GPS-aided inertial navigation system, with radio data link for command guidance during the initial approach.

Test launches from a battery consisting of a CEA CEAFAR radar, a Diehl IRIS-T SL launcher and an Oerlikon Skymaster battle management system were performed in 2014.

[64] The IRIS-T SLM can be integrated with a variety of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) guidance systems and AESA radars, such as Hensoldt TRML-4D, Thales Ground Master 200 MM/C, CEA CEAFAR, and Saab Giraffe 4A.

[42] A version with a Lockheed-Martin Skykeeper command and control station,[65] Giraffe 4A radar and Diehl IRIS-T SLM launcher was shown at IDEX 2019 under the name Falcon Ground Based Air Defence.

[66][67][68] Egypt ordered Diehl IRIS-T SLM launchers, Hensoldt TRML-4D radars, and fire and control stations equipped with Airbus Defence Fortion IBMS[69] integrated battle management software, all mounted on MAN 8×8 military trucks; the deal was approved by the German government in December 2021.

[76] In June 2024, Diehl Defence revealed that they were working on a new variant of IRIS-T AAM which will benefit from a new seeker, replacement electronics and a data link capability.

[81] Some new features of IRIS-T FCAAM might include a stealthy non-cylindrical cross-section, multiple-spectrum IR sensor, advanced data processing, a two-way datalink, and a dual pulse/multi-pulse rocket motor.

[64] The Diehl Defence chief programme officer Harald Buschek said this variant was capable of countering standoff weapons, and it was likely to be ready for operation within around 4 years.

On 31 October 2023, SMS (Spanish Missile Systems, a collaborative proposal of Escribano Mechanical & Engineering [es], GMV and SENER AEROSPACIAL from Spain) and Diehl Defence signed the contract with OCCAR, marking the official start of the project.

[64] For the air-to-surface role, the only difference from air-to-air version is an updated software insertion required to deliver the additional ground attack capability.

[85] The German procurement agency BAAINBw signed a contract with Diehl for a feasibility study to integrate the IRIS-T SLM to the Baden-Württemberg class (F125) in December 2024.

[144] On 15 November, 2022 footage appearing to show the IRIS-T system shooting down two cruise missiles circulated.

The package also includes drones and drone-defense systems, demining vehicles, satellite communications, electronic warfare equipment, directional anti-tank mines and artillery shells.

[151] By June 2024, Helmut Rauch, the CEO of Diehl Defense claimed that 240 kills were achieved by the IRIS-T SLM and SLS in Ukraine with an almost 100% success rate.