Emerging Counter-MANPADS Technologies (ECMT)
Commercial aircraft are susceptible and subject to the threat of attack by Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS). The overall objective of the effort is to perform TRL assessments of technologies that can defeat MANPADS, other than aircraft-borne DIRCM countermeasures technologies. This program will attempt to determine system-level operational effectiveness, maturity of components, subsystems, software, system approach, and suitability for the commercial aviation environment, including deployment at or near airports. The focus is on a "systems" solution of mature component technologies rather than on development of the component technologies themselves. System level test and evaluation is desired, though test and evaluation may occur at the component or subsystem level. The Department of Defense (DoD) is currently addressing some of the issues relating to component and subsystem elements. It is the intention of the ECMT assessment effort to coordinate with DoD, work with potential vendors to assess the maturity and effectiveness of all relevant technology, apply resources to assess system approaches, and most importantly assess civilian environment interoperability.
Technology approaches to counter-MANPADS other than aircraft-borne DIRCM systems are in various stages of development and maturity throughout Department of Defense (DoD) programs. The DHS Counter-MANPADS SPO is following such technologies and will make a formal technology readiness level (TRL) assessment of those technologies in terms of their potential application in the civil aviation environment. The non-aircraft-borne laser-based directed infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) technologies sought are expected to be at TRL6 or TRL7.
The major thrust of this Emerging Counter-MANPADS Technologies (ECMT) assessment program is to evaluate and demonstrate the emerging technology solutions that prove to be the most mature and promising in defeating the MANPADS threat to commercial aviation. The solutions sought are based on existing component technologies. This program will not undertake the development of new technologies. This program will not assess aircraft-borne DIRCM systems. Approaches to be evaluated are limited to ground-based systems, aircraft-borne non-DIRCM and hybrid systems.
In 2003, Congress directed DHS to develop anti-missile technology already in use in the military for application on commercial aircraft. The DHS S&T demonstrated, via two Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs), one of the most mature technologies to defeat MANPADS using onboard laser-based directed infrared countermeasure (DIRCM) systems. That program, which relies on infrared technology onboard aircraft, was in an operational testing phase by 2006.
While that demonstration program was proceeding, Congress also funded DHS S&T to assess alternative approaches employing emerging technologies that may have the potential for defeating MANPADS in a layered defense environment. In 2006, Congress directed DHS to explore emerging countermeasure technologies, including those that are ground-based, airborne, or a combination of the two. As a result of this direction, DHS S&T began the Emerging Counter-MANPADS Technologies (ECMT) program in 2006 to evaluate ground-based MANPADS detection and countermeasures solutions.
Integrated systems shall detect and counter an attack of multiple simultaneously launched generation 1-through-3 MANPADS missiles over the susceptible envelope of a commercial aircraft operating under normal conditions within the US. For purposes of aircraft-borne (non-DIRCM) systems, coverage shall be 360-degrees azimuth and elevation angles commensurate with typical commercial flight profiles and MANPADS profiles (up to 18,000 feet Above Ground Level (AGL). It should provide 90% or better probability of success against an attack of multiple generation 1-through-3 MANPADS missiles over the susceptible envelope of a commercial aircraft. Success means defeating a minimum of two simultaneously launched missiles such that neither strikes an aircraft.
This program may lead to further activities centered on the layered defense concept for protecting commercial aviation from the threat of MANPADS. "Layered defense" refers to the existence of multiple approaches to countering a given threat. There is an ongoing airborne DIRCM approach under evaluation in the DHS CounterMANPADS program. All systems proposed under this BAA would constitute layers in addition to or instead of the current CMANPADS approach.
The overall objective of the effort is to perform TRL assessments of technologies that can defeat MANPADS, other than aircraft-borne DIRCM countermeasures technologies. This program will attempt to determine system-level operational effectiveness, maturity of components, subsystems, software, system approach, and suitability for the commercial aviation environment, including deployment at or near airports. The focus is on a "systems" solution of mature component technologies rather than on development of the component technologies themselves. System level test and evaluation is desired, though test and evaluation may occur at the component or subsystem level. The Department of Defense (DoD) is currently addressing some of the issues relating to component and subsystem elements. It is the intention of the ECMT assessment effort to coordinate with DoD, work with potential vendors to assess the maturity and effectiveness of all relevant technology, apply resources to assess system approaches, and most importantly assess civilian environment interoperability.
Compatibility/Interoperability, for ground-based systems, is to operate without disruption to aircraft in the air, to aircraft on the ground, to airports, or to civilian and military systems, including, but not limited to, telecommunications, radars, medical equipment, and navigation systems.
In the case of aircraft-borne systems, shall not cause any electrical, safety, or operational interference with aircraft systems or surrounding flight operations. Aircraft-borne systems should be compatible with Boeing 737 or larger aircraft; weigh 600 pounds or less, induce 1% or less aerodynamic drag; use existing aircraft power; provide a common means of attaching countermeasures equipment to the aircraft to facilitate interchangeability; be 3rd-party installation capable in less than 10 days; provide for flight deck aircrew interaction and notification; and be operationally available without imposing delays to take-off and landing. If an on board expendable solution is proposed, the system shall not use pyrotechnic expendables.
On October 20, 2006 the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) directorate announced the selection of three firms to receive $7.4 million in combined contract awards to support efforts to counter the threat posed to commercial aircraft by shoulder-fired, anti-aircraft missiles, known as Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS). These three companies will evaluate and demonstrate emerging counter-MANPADS technology solutions that show the most promise in defeating this threat.
- L-3 Communications AVISYS Corporation, Austin, Texas ($1.4 M);
- Northrop Grumman Space Technology, Redondo Beach, Calif. ($1.9 M); and
- Raytheon Company, Tucson, Ariz. ($4.1 M)
The major thrust of this Emerging Counter-MANPADS Technologies (ECMT) assessment program is to evaluate and demonstrate the emerging technology solutions that prove to be the most mature and promising in defeating the MANPADS threat to commercial aviation. The solutions sought are based on existing component technologies. This program will not undertake the development of new technologies. This program will not assess aircraft-borne DIRCM systems. Approaches to be evaluated are limited to ground-based systems, aircraft-borne non-DIRCM and hybrid systems. This program may lead to further activities centered on the layered defense concept for protecting commercial aviation from the threat of MANPADS.
The overall objective of the effort is to perform TRL assessments of technologies that can defeat MANPADS, other than aircraft-borne DIRCM countermeasures technologies. This program will attempt to determine system-level operational effectiveness, maturity of components, subsystems, software, system approach, and suitability for the commercial aviation environment, including deployment at or near airports. The focus is on a "systems" solution of mature component technologies rather than on development of the component technologies themselves. System level test and evaluation is desired, though test and evaluation may occur at the component or subsystem level. The Department of Defense (DoD) is currently addressing some of the issues relating to component and subsystem elements. It is the intention of the ECMT assessment effort to coordinate with DoD, work with potential vendors to assess the maturity and effectiveness of all relevant technology, apply resources to assess system approaches, and most importantly assess civilian environment interoperability.
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