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Common Infrared Countermeasures program

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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’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.[1] Currently, platforms by BAE Systems, ITT Corporation's Defense and Information Solutions, (now ITT Exelis) Northrop Grumman and Raytheon are under consideration.[2]

Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM)

Infrared guidance systems in heat-seeking missiles are designed to track strong sources of infrared radiation – heat – such as aircraft engines, helping missiles to home in on their targets. IRCM systems are based on a modulated source of infrared radiation with a higher intensity than the target itself. When a missile seeker observes this modulated radiation, it interferes with or obscures the modulated signal from the aircraft and renders the missile incapable of maintaining a lock on the target.

Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM)

Directional IRCM, or DIRCM, allows for a countermeasures laser to be targeted directly at an incoming IR threat. This makes possible a more powerful and effective defense than previous, non-directional infrared countermeasures, as the threat is directly addressed rather than the system essentially painting an area with IR disruption, which results in a weaker signal in any given direction.

As IR seeking technology has improved and diversified, standard IRCM systems have become less effective at defeating heat-seeking missiles. Measures such as flares have begun to give way to lasers, which, when fitted on a directional pivoting mount, allow for more effective, concentrated and energy-efficient directional targeting of IR radiation at incoming missile seekers.

CIRCM Program Background

CIRCM was authorized in April 2009 by the U.S. Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics (USD(AT&L)), as a next generation program to replace the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures/Common Missile Warning System (ATIRCM/CMWS) combined program. The program was designated as an Acquisition Category (ACAT) 1D program, also in April 2009.[3]

The CIRCM system, (along with the older LAIRCM and ATIRCM systems) provide a Directional Infrared Countermeasure, which employs both threat-tracking capabilities, as well defensive measures employing modulating laser pulses to confuse missiles' guidance systems causing them to miss their target.

The army issued a draft request for proposals for the common infrared countermeasure (CIRCM) contract in May 2009, opening the competitive phase for a deal to develop and install the missile jammer on thousands of helicopters and tiltrotors in the US military inventory.

The winning contractor will be provide an initial 1,076 systemes 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, production in 2015 and deployment from 2017. The program has an expected value of $1.5 billion.[4]

The project replaces the army's previous plan to acquire the BAE Systems Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasure system, (ATIRCM) which failed during aerial cable range tests in November 2004, according to the draft army documents.[5]

Competition is fierce for the CIRCM program, with five established industry teams vying for what seems to be one of the few new starts the armed services will pursue in a bleak budgetary environment.[6]

Current Systems in Operation

The CIRCM system is intended to be an improved, lighter-weight version of the ATIRCM system. The CIRCM program aims to improve on and capture lessons learned from the failed ATIRCM technology. CIRCM lowers the weight of the system and therefore brings with it the opportunity to deploy this kind of laser counter-measure across a wider portion of the fleet.[7]

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).” Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, Dr. Ashton Carter, on his decision to limit the ATIRCM Program.

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 Black Hawk. [Avionics Magazine]

ATIRCM failed during aerial cable range tests in 2004, according to Army documents, and service officials have said they want to field a cheaper, lighter system for their remaining helicopters, which will integrate smoothly with systems like CMWS and JATAS, across all branches of the military. [findarticles.com]

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=4653137

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/systems/siircm-program.htm


  1. ^ Osborn, Kris. "Army Improving Helicopter Protective Measures". United States Army. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  2. ^ "Request for Information - Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) Program". United States General Services Administration - Federal Business Opporunities. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  3. ^ "DOTE FY09 Annual Report - Army Programs (pp.55-56)" (PDF). Director, Operational Test and Evaluation - US Department of Defense. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  4. ^ Carey, Bill. "Contractors Vie for U.S. Army IR Countermeasures Program". Aviation International News Online. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  5. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "US Army starts CIRCM bidding process with draft RFP". FlightGlobal.com. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
  6. ^ Thompson, Loren. "ITT Develops Breakthrough Design For Army Helicopter Defenses". Lexington Institute. Retrieved 29 August 2011.
  7. ^ Osborn, Kris. "Army Improving Helicopter Protective Measures". United States Army. Retrieved 6 September 2011.
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