Common Infrared Countermeasures program: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 19:31, 7 September 2011

Revision as of 19:41, 7 September 2011

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= Introduction =

CIRCM, The Common Infrared Countermeasures program, is a [[United States Army]] program 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 [[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.

The CIRCM system will be designed to meet Tri-Service "common" Army, Navy, and Air Force requirements. The [[Department of Defense’sDefense]]’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, platforms by [[BAE Systems]], [[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>

== Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM) ==

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== Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) ==

Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures or ATIRCM is the most recent attempt an infrared countermeasures capability. Plagued by problems from its outset, the program’s supplier, BAE Systems, has managed to supply only 83 of the 1,076 initially slated for delivery. According to Defense News, ATIRCM was found to be too heavy for helicopters other than the Army’s [[CH-64]] Chinooks.

"Due to reliability, cost, and weight issues, I have limited the production and fielding of the ATIRCM subprogram to 83 fully configured end items in order to address a validated urgent operational need for CH-47 helicopters operating in Overseas Contingency Operations ([[OCO]]).”<ref>{{cite web|last=Brannen|first=Kate|title=DoD: Too Late for ATIRCM Alternatives|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4653137|publisher=Defense News|accessdate=7 September 2011}}</ref> Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Dr. Ashton Carter, on his decision to limit the ATIRCM Program.

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The [[Nunn-McCurdy]] provision introduced in 1982 by Senator [[Sam Nunn]] and Congressman [[Dave McCurdy]] requires that any defense program that increases in cost by more than 15% over its acquisition cycle must be reported to congress and either restructured be fully explained by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. In June of 2010, then Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Dr. Ashton Carter made such a report on the ATIRCM program.<ref>{{cite web|last=Brannen|first=Kate|title=DoD: Too Late for ATIRCM Alternatives|url=http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4653137|publisher=Defense News|accessdate=7 September 2011}}</ref>

== Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) ==

The [[Department of the Navy]] (DoN) also operates an IRCM program called LAIRCM which is fielded exclusively on large fixed-wing aircraft, and users a laser pointer-tracker to defeat IR-guided threats.<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Brien|first=William|title=Testing puts LAIRCM on target to protect tankers|url=http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/5979225/ede_03042011A20.pdf|publisher=Desert Eagle, for Edwards Air Force Base|accessdate=29 August 2011}}</ref>

LAIRCM systems such as the [[AAQ-24]] delivered to the DoN by Northrop Grumman are Directed IR countermeasures designed to defend large fixed-wing aircraft from IR-guided threats. LAIRCM was devised to protect planes by automatically detecting missile launches, and activating a high-intensity system of pulsed lasers to track and defeat the threat by confusing its guidance system.<ref>{{cite web|last=O'Brien|first=William|title=Testing puts LAIRCM on target to protect tankers|url=http://assets.mediaspanonline.com/prod/5979225/ede_03042011A20.pdf|publisher=Desert Eagle, for Edwards Air Force Base|accessdate=29 August 2011}}</ref>

However, with two laser heads for 360 degree protection, the current [[CH-53E]] (Sea Stallion) LAIRCM weighs 193 pounds and the Chinook ATIRCM around 160 pounds. Cable and supporting structures increase the total installed weight to more than 350 pounds. In both cases this is far too heavy to effectively defend small, low-altitude-operating rotorcraft from MANPADS. Therefore, though the Army began fielding the ATIRCM Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) system on 83 CH-47s supporting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2009, The USD(AT&L) limited the ATIRCM QRC program to these specific aircraft, as the current combined weight of the ATIRCM/CMWS suite is unsustainably high. DoD planners set the CIRCM target weight at 85 pounds for the jamming B-kit with two turrets. while the supporting A-kit is capped at 70 pounds for large rotorcraft like the Chinook and [[V-22]] Osprey tiltrotor, or 35 pounds for smaller helicopters like the [[UH-60]] Black Hawk.<ref>{{cite web|last=Colucci|first=Frank|title=Common Countermeasures|url=http://www.aviationtoday.com/av/issue/feature/Common-Countermeasures_71251.html|publisher=Avionics Magazine Online|accessdate=29 August 2011}}</ref>