Infrared Strobe

Infrared Strobes (short form: IR Strobe) are throwable grenades used for marking targets in ArmA 2 and ArmA 3.

Overview

IR Strobes were first introduced into the series with ArmA 2's Operation Arrowhead expansion pack. They function as throwable devices and depending on the game, may require the user to "switch" to them manually before they can be thrown.

Once thrown, the strobe projectile will appear as a blinking light that flashes in repeated intervals until it expires. The strobe's flashing can only be seen through night vision; they are for all intents and purposes "invisible" to the naked eye.

IR Strobes are primarily utilised for two reasons: either as a signalling device for friendly ground forces/aircraft, or for marking targets for air-to-ground munitions to lock onto. Strobes are always reported as hostile contacts, and can (usually) be locked onto provided that a compatible munition is currently selected and is seeking a target.

ArmA 2

ArmA 2-era IR Strobe

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Infra-red strobe Armoury Description

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Exclusive to BLUFOR factions, IR Strobes are available in two variants: one explicitly for marking (IR Marker Strobe) and a second for targeting (IR Targeting Strobe). Both will last for up to 300 seconds (5 minutes) before they expire.

The former serves no purpose other than to "illuminate" the area around it for friendly forces. Only the latter can be locked onto by certain laser-guided bombs dropped by ground attack jets (i.e. GBU-12 LGBs fitted onto AV-8B V/STOL jets).

IR Strobes must be switched to as an individual "weapon" in order to throw them. As with hand/smoke grenades, strobes require at least one free primary weapon magazine slot to carry.

Because IR Strobes tend to bounce excessively on paved and non-grassy terrain, it is recommended to use minimal power prior to tossing an IR Strobe in order to avoid missing an intended target.

ArmA 3

ArmA 3-era IR Strobes

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Use IR grenades for signaling or marking targets during night-time. IR Grenades are especially useful for marking targets, because they can be targeted by vehicle operators. Field Manual

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IR Strobes return in ArmA 3 as throwable grenades, named as IR Grenades.

No longer exclusive to BLUFOR, they are now faction-specific with NATO, CSAT/Russian Spetsnaz and the AAF/LDF utilising their own unique models. These differences are purely cosmetic however, and functionally they remain identical to one another. All IR Strobes have the same "mass" values of 8 and last for a maximum duration of 300 seconds (five minute lifespan).

As with other grenades in ArmA 3, IR Strobes can be quick thrown at the push of a key, and it is no longer necessary to equip them as a separate "weapon". Though they lack the exaggerated bounce velocity of their ArmA 2 predecessors, some caution should still be taken as IR Strobes can't be thrown very far.

In addition, IR Grenades are no longer considered as separate variants and offer both (night vision-only) illumination and targeting. As before, only a few types of air-to-ground ordnance - usually LGBs such as NATO's GBU-12 or CSAT's LOM-250G, are capable of locking onto planted strobes. The attacking aircraft must also possess an NV Sensor component in order to acquire the strobe as a valid target.

The position of a strobe can also be transmitted between multiple aircraft via Data Link. However, they must fulfil the same lock-on requirements and be within attacking range.

Trivia

• At Operation Arrowhead's launch, neither of the IR Strobes functioned properly in multiplayer and would instantly disappear once they hit the terrain's surface. This was subsequently fixed by the release of Patch 1.54.
• Initially, IR Grenades (in throwable form) were not available upon ArmA 3's release and were only added after Game Update 1.08 as part of the AAF Reinforcements Pack.
• ArmA 2's IR Strobe (and INDFOR strobes in ArmA 3) is based on TNVC's "VIP Infrared Signal Light", though it doesn't actually have an in-game model and is only depicted as such through its inventory icon.
  • BLUFOR IR Grenades in ArmA 3 are similarly modelled after the VIP but only feature the lamp strobe detached from its frame.
  • On the other hand, REDFOR strobes appear to be based on the "2130IR Mini Flasher Specialty Light" manufactured by Pelican Products, Inc.