“We are transforming our force structure, we are transforming our weapons systems through our modernization programs and what we've done, through the force structure changes, is make room for some new formations,” said Army Secretary Christine Wormuth.
Earlier this year, the service unveiled tentative plans to decide who would participate in a new cruise missile interceptor competition in FY25. Industry feedback over the coming weeks could alter that date and reshape the acquisition timetable.
In a bid to win a spot on the IFPC Inc 2 program as the second interceptor, Israel’s Rafael will throw its hat into the ring with Iron Dome’s Tamir interceptor, while Boeing and Lockheed say they may have contenders too.
“The IFPC-HPM platoon will undergo capabilities and limitations testing by the Army to develop tactics, techniques and procedures for how the capability will be used in theater as part of a layered defense posture for the counter-UAS mission,” an Epirus spokesman told Breaking Defense.
While the company says a prototype launcher is "nearly complete," in the meantime the Army is receiving Raytheon’s AIM-9X interceptor with plans to confirm that thermal management problems have been solved.
The service anticipates fielding its first Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) in 2024, a C2 system that will be a centerpiece for the air defense effort.
Lingering supply chain woes have delayed Dynetics first Enduring Shield launcher prototype delivery to the Army which has, in turn, delayed testing plans.
The Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) allows commanders to jointly plan, coordinate and synchronize operations across air, land, sea and space assets.
The service is on the hunt for a supersonic interceptor for Dynetics’ IFPC Increment 2 launcher, also dubbed Enduring Shield, and looking for a high-energy laser.
“The Army appears to be keeping it accessible should the need arise in the US Indo Pacific region… but there's a larger question about what really is going to be the future of these Iron Dome batteries,” said Tom Karako, a missile defense expert with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Despite the multi-month launcher delivery delay, the Army said its testing plan is on track and during this phase it will ensure the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile can be launched from the ground.
Marines have spent several years doing what the Army said it cannot do, integrating Iron Dome components into its larger air defense architecture. The USMC now has approval to continue developing its new cruise missile defense weapon.
WASHINGTON: Northrop Grumman‘s IBCS network could revolutionize how the Army does air and missile defense, if they can get the software to stop crashing. Since Pentagon testers found in February 2016 that the system had to abort, on average, every six to eight hours, the program has worked hard to make the software “more robust,” […]
ARLINGTON: As Russia and other adversaries stock up on drones, rockets, and missiles, the US Army is building up defenses to shoot them down. But that Short-Range Air Defense force has been devastated by a decade of cuts. The service’s plan to revive SHORAD involves deploying to Europe about 50 more of its current Avenger […]
UPDATED with Brig. Gen. Turner remarks on the report WASHINGTON: Marines are famously aggressive, but a new battle plan from a leading thinktank makes Iwo Jima look low-risk. The Center for Strategic & Budgetary Assessments’ proposed concept of operations is imaginative, exciting and more than a little scary: In a future war, rather than stay far […]