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Suite of Infrared Countermeasures [SIIRCM]

AN/ALQ-212 Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM)
AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS)

SIIRCM is the Army's next generation lamp/laser jammer, coupled with the new missile warner (CMWS), an advanced flare dispenser, and an advanced flare munition. This system replaces the old ALQ-144, M-206, and ALQ-156 families of jammers, flares, and missile warners. SIIRCM/CMWS is a large-scale horizontal integration of IRCM technology across 17 different Army, Navy, and Air Force rotary and fixed wing aircraft. Additionally, the Armored Systems Modernization PEO is looking at SIIRCM/CMWS technology for protection against Anti-Tank Guided Munitions (ATGM) since ATGMs also employ infrared seekers.

The ATIRCM/CMWS design is modular to allow multiple configurations on a wide range of aircraft and other vehicles. In January 1995 USD (A&T) approved the merger of the Army ATIRCM program with the Navy/Air Force Advanced Missile Warning System (AMWS) program. The lead US military services’ host platforms were: the MH-60K (Army), the AV-8BN (Navy), and the F-16 Block 40 - Close Air Support (Air Force) aircraft.

At its peak in 1998, the total program cost was projected at $3 billion. But delays and cost increases beset ATIRCM, and in 1999 DOD again studied the Nemesis as an alternative. DOD decided to stay with ATIRCM, but the Navy and Air Force backed out. Current plans call for ATIRCM production for over 1,000 Army helicopters. For the Army only, the ATIRCM/CMWS is currently planned and funded for follow-on installation on the MH-47E, MH-60L, MH-47D, AH-64D, EH/UH-60, and CH-47D aircraft. For all three military services, the CMWS is currently planned and funded for follow-on installation on the OH-58D, F/A-18E/F, and A-10 aircraft.

The ATIRCM/CMWS is part of the Army’s Suite of Integrated Infrared (IR) Countermeasures (SIIRCM) concept of IR protection. This SIIRCM concept also includes Advanced Infrared Countermeasures Munitions (AIRCMM), a new-development set of IR flare decoys, and passive IR features. These features are the host platform modifications intended to reduce the IR signatures, and include such things as engine exhaust/heat suppression and IR-absorbing paints. For the Army only, the ATIRCM/CMWS is being integrated with the Advanced Threat Radar Jammer (ATRJ), a new-development Radio Frequency (RF) system, to provide overall IR and RF self-protection.

SIIRCM includes: a new development set of IR flare decoys the Advanced Infrared Countermeasures Munitions (AIRCMM), and passive IR features. These features include host platform modifications such as engine exhaust/heat suppression, and special coatings, intended to reduce the platform IR signature. The ATIRCM is part of the US Army's SIIRCM concept of IR protection. The CMWS consists of six (6) electro-optical sensors and an internally mounted Electronics Control Unit (ECU), which detects incoming missiles, provides warning to the crew, and dispenses countermeasures. CMWS is a totally passive detection system, requiring only the electro-optic (EO) signature of the missile plume. The ECU determines the threat status of detection’s using flight parameter data received from the aircraft Central Computer (CC). The ECU provides missile threat declaration, Direction-Of-Arrival (DOA) and elevation information to the CC which generates the crewstation display and warning tone. The CMWS allows for automatic or manual AN/ALE-45 Countermeasures Dispenser (CMD) operation.

The SIIRCM/CMWS contributes to full-dimensional protection by improving individual aircraft (or ground vehicle) probability of survival against an increasing worldwide proliferation of advanced infrared (IR) guided missiles. CMWS is a software reprogrammable system intended to provide automatic passive missile detection, threat declaration, positive warning of a post launch missile which is homing on the host platform, countermeasures effectiveness assessment, false alarm suppression, and cues to other onboard systems such as expendable countermeasures dispensers. For the Army only, the ATIRCM adds active directional countermeasures via an arc lamp and laser.

The ATIRCM/CMWS is comprised of six types of line replaceable units (LRUs). The installed LRU configuration may vary by platform from the baseline:

The AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System is the detection component of a suite of countermeasures being developed Jointly to increase survivability of current generation combat, airlift and special operations aircraft against the threat posed by infrared guided missiles. The goal is to establish a system design with fit, function, and interfaces interchangeable across all Army, Air Force and Navy/Marine Corps "non-low observable" platforms. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU, baseline of one for both ATIRCM and CMWS) controls other LRUs, provides countermeasures selection and initiation, controls built-in-test (BIT), and provides the platform interface. The Electro-Optic Missile Sensors (EOMS, baseline four for ATIRCM and six for CMWS) passively detect the presence of energy within a specific band of interest, and transmit information to the ECU.

AN/ALQ-212 Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) baseline consists of three subsystems: the Common Missile Warning System (CMWS), the Advanced Threat Infrared Jammer (ATIRJ), and the Improved Countermeasures Dispenser (ICMD). These three subsystems are fully integrated through the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The ATIRJ counters IR-guided missile systems using information from the CMWS through the ECU to locate and jam with direct laser and lamp energy. The ATIRJ will replace the AN/ALQ-144A IR countermeasure set. The ICMD will be capable of loading and employing three or more types of expendables as directed by the ECU software. The baseline ICMD consists of a sequencer and two dispenser assemblies. While currently an Army-only program, SIIRCM will likely involve joint service integration after initial testing efforts have been completed. Developmental testing, operational testing, and system evaluation will be completed by Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC) and Army Evaluation Center (AEC) organizations. ATIRCM is required to demonstrate integration with the Army Suite of Integrated Radio Frequency Countermeasures (SIRFC). The Navy Integrated Defensive Electronic Counter Measures (IDECM) program is required to demonstrate integration of CMWS in the IDECM suite.

The AN/ALQ-212 ATIRCM/CMWS B-kit or Group B components are comprised of six types of Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) The AN/AAR-57 CMWS B-kit or Group B is comprised of one LRU type. The Electronic Control Unit (ECU) controls the other LRUs, provides countermeasures selection and initiation, controls Built-in Test (BIT), and provides the host platform interface. The four Electro-Optic Missile Sensors (EOMSs) passively detect the presence of energy within a specific band of interest, and transmit information to the ECU. The Jam Head Control Unit performs the laser and lamp jamming control functions for the two Infrared Jam Heads (IRJHs) once provided a missile handoff from the CMWS. The Infrared Jam Laser provides laser energy to the IRJHs. The ICMD consists of two "smart" dispensers with automatic payload sensing and one AN/ALE-47 sequencer. The A-kit or Group A, which is the host platform modification necessary to install the B-kit and make it operational, is also being designed for each host platform.

An integrated product team (IPT) was formed in June 1995 to produce a tri-service approved ORD and an IPT coordinated TEMP in support of a 4QFY95 Milestone II decision. The Services merged two separate acquisition programs into one Joint program to eliminate duplicate development efforts and lower the Department of Defense life cycle costs of aircraft electronic warfare systems. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology endorsed the merger, directed Acquisition Category IC status, authorized a Milestone II decision based on existing documentation, and waived all but statutory documentation requirements until Milestone III.

The program entered EMD in September 1995. The IPT formed in June 95, produced a "fully coordinated" TEMP in late December 1995 which was immediately approved by both DTSE&E and DOT&E upon submission to OSD in April 96. After expanding the EMD Critical Design Review process, delays in initial EMD hardware/software production, and adjusting detailed T&E planning, the Acquisition Program Baseline (APB) schedule was approved in June 97, moving the MS-III objective/threshold from FEB00/AUG00 to MAR01/SEP01. The ORD was changed in FY97 to include a more realistic threshold to objective range for ATIRCM effectiveness. The Joint Program Office (JPO) was relocated from St. Louis, MO to Huntsville, AL during 4QFY97 as part of a BRAC move of the Army Aviation Electronic Combat Project Office (PM-AEC). The JPO move resulted in vacancy, gaps, or rapid turnover in several key project management positions.

The aggressive continuum of modeling and simulation (M&S) intended to support the system development, hardware (and software) in the loop (HITL) testing, open air range testing, installed equipment testing, operational evaluation of the system, and ultimately the life cycle maintenance of the system, has been dependent on the Test and Measurement (T&M) program which has been ongoing since June 1996.

While supporting system development, some aspects of the M&S effort are also dependent on the prime contractor's system design process and hardware deliveries. The T&M, conducted in and around Sander's Nashua NH facilities, at Eglin Air Force Base, and at White Sands Missile Range, has continued to gather both instrumented ground truth and prototype sensor views of environmental, threat, and false alarm data. T&M collection events planned in late FY97 were canceled due to CMWS sensor availability and cost of the T&M effort. Some multi-spectral test and evaluation limitations can only be overcome through iterative (i.e., model, test, model) modeling and simulation in conjunction with DT/OT events in order to construct and validate an end to end operational evaluation environment. The approved TEMP T&E concept for the CMWS included a sensor in the loop HITL capability.

$2.5M of program funds were budgeted for that purpose. Beginning in late FY96, the program conducted a $250,000 effort to survey existing HITL capabilities. Proposals to upgrade an existing facility to this capability were reviewed. After consultation with OUSD(A&T)/S&TS-EW, the PM concluded that the sensor HITL schedule, cost, and technical risk to the ATIRCM/CMWS program was unacceptable. DOT&E has insisted that the approved T&E concept for the CMWS is dependent on a sensor HITL, and that this HITL could not be eliminated unless some adequate alternative is articulated in a TEMP update with DOT&E approval. Continuing dialogue in 1QFY98 resulted in a renewed commitment from the PM to develop the CMWS sensor HITL. This was further facilitated by a commitment from the Air Force Test and Evaluation Executive to fund the $600K of HITL cost which is in excess of the original budget set aside by the PM for this resource.

A TEMP update was begun in early FY97 to reflect the APB schedule changes and the proposed addition of a CMWS LRIP to the approved acquisition strategy. This TEMP update effort has now been re-scoped to include high priority changes to the program as of 1QFY98. Specifically:

1. Plans for developing the CMWS sensor HITL.
2. Addition of both CMWS, and ATIRCM, LRIPs to the acquisition strategy.
3. Resolution of the programs funding and schedule with adequately resourced T&E.

Responding to DOT&E and AFOTEC concerns, the PM has agreed to proceed with CMWS sensor HITL development. Since this is a unique capability, with moderate technical and schedule risk, which is being developed for the first time, the current plan follows a risk mitigating incremental approach.

T&E planning is in progress for completion of a combined DT/OT phase, and a resulting Operational Assessment, to support the acquisition decision maker prior to the proposed LRIP decisions.

As of October 98, the JPO identified a substantial FY98 funding shortfall and has moved to delay several key program events into subsequent years for funding, and also to reduce the T&E resource requirements which were approved in the MS-II TEMP. In addition, contractor delays to date to complete the system design and initial EMD hardware deliveries, resulted in the early FY97 program re-baseline which extended the MS-III by thirteen months. Continued delivery delays after the re-baseline have contributed to delays in completing early T&E related events. Most notably to date this has contributed to delays in development of the necessary and challenging modeling and simulation. Aircraft integration schedules are also major T&E drivers potentially at risk due to EMD delivery performance.

The DUSA(OR) and Army OPTEC have assumed an increased leadership role with the Joint T&E community, and along with the newly formed JPO are driving the production of the needed TEMP update for approval by DOT&E.

The first fully-integrated development model of the Tri-Service AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) and the AN/ALQ-212 Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures/Common Missile Warning System (ATIRCM/CMWS) was successfully demonstrated by the Sanders [Lockheed Martin] program team at on 13 April 1998.

ATIRCM/CMWS is being developed at Sanders under a September 1995 Engineering and Manufacturing Development contract to develop and produce a common missile warning system for US Army, Navy and Air Force aircraft and the next-generation directable, laser-based countermeasures system for protection of aircraft against heat-seeking missile threats. Sanders is under contract to provide seven complete ATIRCM systems and 50 CMWS systems by March, 1999. A Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) program is planned to begin in the year 2000.

Hostile missile launch is identified by the CMWS' sensor and processed through the system's electronic control unit, programmed to select the appropriate countermeasure -- flares, or, for those platforms so equipped, the ATIRCM jam head. If selected by the ECU, and the ATIRCM jam head rotates to the general location of the missile signature. Data from the head's infrared tracker and from the CMWS sensor are correlated and validated by the system's jamming control unit, and the head is directed to lock onto the missile. Finally, the jam head xenon arc lamp and laser are activated to simultaneously jam the simulated threat. The entire sequence of operations, from detection to jamming, occurrs in less than a second.

Advances in laser technology, energy transmission, and jamming techniques are under evaluation for an all laser solution (eliminate non-coherent sources) as a P3I to the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasure System (ATIRCM)/Common Missile Warning System (CMWS). These improvements will provide the capability to counter both present and future multi-color imaging focal plane array and non-imaging missile seekers. A tunable multi-line laser with a fiber optic transmission line and advanced jamming algorithms will be live fire tested using the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) testbed. The goal is a 20X reduction in laser jam head volume, 35 lbs in weight reduction, and a 2X reduction in ATIRCM/CMWS power consumption, and a 6X improvement in jam to signal ratio.

In late 2001, as part of the FY ‘03-’07 Five Year Defense Program's Program Objective Memorandum [POM], the Army cancelled a total of 19 programs, including the Raytheon Tube-launched Optically-tracked Wireless Fire and Forget missile, the BAE Systems Advanced Tactical Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM), the General Dynamics Hydra rocket, the United Defense, L.P. M113 armored personnel carrier recapitalization, and the Tank Extended-Range Munition (TERM).

The first platforms to get ATIRCM will be MH-60K and MH-47E Special Operations helicopters, then Apaches, and only later the UH-60(X), EH-60, CH-47D, and RAH-66 (if it reaches production).

The BAE SYSTEMS-developed Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) sensor will be installed on various U.S. Army helicopters. BAE SYSTEMS Information & Electronic Warfare Systems (IEWS) delivered its initial AN/AAR-57(V) Common Missile Warning System September 16, 2002 to the U.S. Army during special ceremonies at its South Nashua, N.H., facility. The delivery was part of a March 2002 contract awarded to BAE SYSTEMS to manufacture 26 of the advanced missile warning systems to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

The CMWS is the first phase of equipping Army aircraft with BAE SYSTEMS' AN/ALQ-212(V) Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) system which also includes a combined laser and lamp directable infrared missile jammer. The CMWS, combined with the ATIRCM system and the Advanced IR Countermeasures Munitions (AIRCMM) flares, are the primary components of the U.S. Army's Suite of Integrated Infrared Countermeasures (SIIRCM). ATIRCM/CMWS is the military's next-generation directable, laser-based countermeasures system. It protects aircraft against widely deployed heat-seeking missile threats.

During FY04, the Army plans to award a limited production contract for 59 ATIRCM systems. The Army plans to buy a total of 619 systems beginning in FY05. The Army will not field any of these ATIRCM systems until the successful completion of the FY04 DT/OT tests and the FY05 IOT&E.

According to the DOT&E, the ATIRCM/CMWS had demonstrated adequate performance to date. The tests have shown the need to modify the software for certain operational conditions and these modifications need to be re-evaluated during subsequent testing, especially with live fire shots at the aerial cable facility. The redesigned jam head has performed satisfactorily in the contractor tests to date.

During the FY01 tests, the IR jammer experienced a number of reliability problems, requiring some significant mechanical redesign. The redesign is now complete and the contractor environmental tests to date have shown satisfactory progress. The redesigned units will enter into a 1,100-hour RDT in July FY04 as part of the DT/OT. Also during the FY01 tests, the built-in test performed unsatisfactorily. The built-in test has since been redesigned and was tested during the Logistics Demonstration scheduled for FY04.

In June 2005, it was determined that the Army's Advanced Technology Infrared Countermeasure (ATIRCM) was not meeting all of it's performance requirements within the curent schedule, resulting in a program deviation report. In December 2005, the Army revised their ATIRCM acquisition strategy which delayed future ATIRCM spirals until 2010.