Common Infrared Countermeasures program: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:57, 12 September 2011

Revision as of 20:11, 12 September 2011

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CIRCM, the Common Infrared Countermeasures program, is a [[United States Army]] initiative intended to develop a lightweight, low-cost and modular laser-based infrared protection system for U.S. helicopters and light fixed-wing aircraft. The technology will primarily provide defense against shoulder-fired, heat-seeking missiles, or [[MANPADS]]. The program is being developed to replace older, less reliable suites such as the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) and Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) systems, which have drawn repeated criticism from military commanders and industry actors.

[[File:ITT CIRCM System-IRCM.jpg|thumb|TheITT's complete,CIRCM unmountedFitted CIRCMto System,US developedArmy by[[UH-60]] ITTDuring Test Exercises]]

The CIRCM system will be designed to meet Tri-Service "common" Army, Navy, and Air Force requirements. The [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]]’s (DoD) strategy is to competitively develop a lightweight and cost-effective jammer subsystem for installation on all DoD rotary-wing and slow moving fixed-wing aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|last=Osborn|first=Kris|title=Army Improving Helicopter Protective Measures|url=http://www.army.mil/article/43929/|publisher=United States Army|accessdate=6 September 2011}}</ref> Currently, systems by [[BAE Systems]], [http://es.itt.com/circm/ ITT Corporation's Defense and Information Solutions], (now ITT Exelis) [[Northrop Grumman]] and [[Raytheon]] are under consideration.<ref>{{cite web|title=Request for Information - Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) Program|url=https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&tab=core&id=c2e3412e9db20183d6581810bae29979&cck=1&au=&ck=|publisher=United States General Services Administration - Federal Business Opporunities|accessdate=29 August 2011}}</ref>

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The winning contractor will be provide an initial 1,076 systems to supply [[AH-64]] Apache, [[UH-60]] Black Hawk, [[CH-47]] Chinook and future armed scout helicopters. Currently, the DoD plans to award two or more 21-month technology development contracts first, followed by a two-year engineering and manufacturing development phase, with production to begin in 2015 and deployment in 2017. The program has an expected value of $1.5 billion.<ref>{{cite web|last=Carey|first=Bill|title=Contractors Vie for U.S. Army IR Countermeasures Program|url=http://www.ainonline.com/news/single-news-page/article/contractors-vie-for-us-army-ir-countermeasures-program-30822/|publisher=Aviation International News Online|accessdate=2 September 2011}}</ref>

[[File:ITT-IRCM.jpg|thumb|ITT's CIRCM Fitted to US Army [[UH-60]] During Test Exercises]]

The project replaces the Army's previous plan to acquire the BAE Systems' ATIRCM unit which failed during aerial cable range tests in November 2004, according to Army documents.<ref>{{cite web|last=Trimble|first=Stephen|title=US Army starts CIRCM bidding process with draft RFP|url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/05/13/341910/us-army-starts-circm-bidding-process-with-draft-rfp.html|publisher=FlightGlobal.com|accessdate=6 September 2011}}</ref>

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Such additional functionalities will likely be important in the military’s decision to award the CIRCM contract, particularly in light of the persistent threat of low-tech small arms fire (including RPGs), which are not, addressed in the majority of advanced technology IRCM systems.

[[File:ITT CIRCM System.jpg|thumb|The complete, unmounted CIRCM System, developed by ITT]]

= References =