Aircraft Survivability Development

Abstract

This funding line is a key enabler of the Army Modernization Priorities in support of the Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) as well as the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) platforms. The Aircraft Survivability Development program includes Projects titled Aircraft Survivability Equipment Development (ER7) and Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) (ER8). This program previously included funding for Joint Urgent Operational Needs Statement (JUONS) SO-0010 Phase 2a, Headquarters Department of the Army (HQDA) Directed Requirement for Advanced Threat Warner (ATW) portion of Phase 3 ATW/Common Infrared Countermeasures Quick Reaction Capability (ATW/CIRCM QRC), and Limited Interim Missile Warning System Quick Reaction Capability (LIMWS QRC). As of FY2025, the ATW and JUONS RDT&E efforts have been completed, and aircraft deployed with JUONS have been de-modified. ER7: Aircraft Survivability Development. The objective of the ASE Development project is to improve Radio Frequency (RF) ASE for Army Aviation. APR-39 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) detects, categorizes, and prioritizes RF emitters and provides a visual / aural alert to aircrew members warning them of targeting by RF-guided weapons. The Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) approved Phases 1 and 2 of a 3-phased path forward. Phase 1, APR-39C(V)1/4, serves as an obsolescence / sustainment upgrade to the Processor Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) for AN/APR-39A(V) RWR implemented to ensure that the currently fielded system remains viable until affordable improved RF ASE capability can be pursued in Phases 2 and 3. Phase 2A is RWR Modernization begins by adopting the United States Navy APR-39D(V)2 system. APR-39D(V)2 will significantly improve the RF threat coverage, automatic detection and identification of threat types, bearing, and lethality. Phase 2B, the APR-39E(V)2, Modernized Radar Warning Receiver (MRWR), is an Army Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) to APR-39D(V)2, approved in the Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) signed June 24, 2019. This ECP will implement enhanced hardware and software upgrades to keep APR-39 technically relevant against new and emerging agile threats. APR-39E(V)2 is part of the suite of ASE mission equipment for the FVL platforms. Phase 3 adds active Radio Frequency Electronic Countermeasures (RF-ECM) capability for selected aircraft with Material Development Decision (MDD) planned in the future. Justification: FY 2025 Base RDT&E funding of $4.703 million supports APR-39E(V)2 Hardware and Software System Development, and Systems Engineering and Program Management (SEPM). ER8: Common Missile Warning System (CMWS). The CMWS program is a missile warning system that cues both flare and laser-based countermeasures to defeat incoming Infrared (IR)-seeking missiles and will alert aircrews to the presence of certain incoming munitions. The B-Kit consists of the components which perform the missile detection and aircrew notification, munitions detection and aircrew notification, false alarm rejection, and countermeasure employment/cueing functions of the system. The CMWS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) receives ultraviolet (UV) missile detection data from Electro-Optic Missile Sensors (EOMS), which detect UV signals, and sends a missile alert signal to warn aircrews via on-board avionics. Tier 1 threat missiles detected and tracked by CMWS are subsequently defeated by a combination of missile seeker countermeasures, including decoy flares and IR Laser Jamming (currently Common Infrared Countermeasures (CIRCM) -multiple platforms and Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM)-equipped CH-47 platform only). In addition CMWS ECU receives from the EOMS munitions detection data which it also passes to the aircrew through aural and visual alerts. The aircrew then applies the appropriate Tactics, Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) to break contact or engage the enemy with own-ship ordnance. CMWS Generation 3 (Gen 3) ECU in conjunction with ongoing software development efforts will address outstanding materiel release conditions and ensure protection against emerging IR-guided missile threats. Due to evolving threats, CMWS will remain in the Army inventory beyond 2040 and must remain relevant against emerging threats. The A-Kit for CMWS includes mounting hardware, wiring harnesses, cables, and other components necessary to install and interface the mission kit on host aircraft. The A-Kit ensures the mission kit is functionally and physically operational with a specific host aircraft type. As a part of Phase 2a of the Joint Urgent Operational Needs Statement (JUONS) (SO-0010) program, the Army integrated the DoN LAIRCM system onto the Army and Special Operations Aircraft Platforms. Due to a number of challenges, circumstances, and variables, the Army updated the Advanced Threat Warning/CIRCM QRC and LIMWS Directed Requirements (dated November 16, 2018). The updated requirements extended the utilization of ATW DoN LAIRCM on conventional Army aircraft and canceled the need for the ATW/CIRCM QRC system for the conventional Army. (It should be noted that the updated requirement maintained the need for ATW/CIRCM on the Special Operations Aircraft. Sustainment of ATW on Special Operations Aircraft were transferred to Special Operations Aircraft budget line in FY23). As a result, the Army did not acquire the ATW sensors for use in Phase 3 of the JUONS effort. Instead, the Army accelerated the procurement of the CIRCM QRC systems for use with the currently fielded CMWS in preparation for transition to the LIMWS system. As of FY 2025, the ATW and JUONS RDT&E efforts have been completed, and aircraft deployed with JUONS have been de-modified. LIMWS QRC addresses the HQDA Directed Requirement to provide a greater capability than CMWS, the current Program of Record (POR), to bridge the gap between CMWS and the future threat detection system, the Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS). LIMWS is required to provide increased detection range, improved detection in clutter, more agile algorithms to rapidly respond to emerging threats, and eliminates the need for sensor alignments. Justification: CMWS: FY 2025 Base RDTE dollars in the amount of $5.097 million will fund Future Sensor and Algorithm Analysis, Threat and Vulnerability Analysis, and Systems Engineering and Program Management (SEPM). LIMWS: LIMWS does not have funding in FY25. ITD: Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS). The ITDS (Improved Threat Detection System) budget line includes funding to support the development and integration of improved Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) products onto current US Army Aviation platforms as well as Future Vertical Lift (FVL) future platforms. ITDS will use an incremental approach to align with PM ASE's System of Systems approach, including both detect and defeat capabilities, and integrate to an open system architecture digital backbone, improving full coverage against evolving threats in hostile environments. ITDS is an FY2024 (PE 0605049A) new start program applying a Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) adaptive acquisition pathway. PM ASE is executing this ITDS MTA Rapid Prototyping effort under an Other Transactional Authority agreement with multiple phases. The result will be a residual operational capability that will detect, classify, cue, and declare on existing and emerging Electro-Optical/Infra-red (EO/IR) Guided Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPG)/ unguided rockets, Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM), Ballistic munitions, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), and Lasers. Justification: ITDS: FY2025 Base RDTE dollars in the amount of $28.425 million will fund continuation of development efforts including prototype demonstration and test, execution of contract(s) to initiate Product Development, and program management/ technical oversight for ITDS. References: - Joint Staff, J-8 Deputy Director for Requirements (DOR) memorandum, April 24, 2015 - Phase 2a SOCOM JUONs SO-0010, Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell (JRAC) memorandum, May 29, 2015 - Directed Requirement for the Phase 3 Advanced Threat Warner and Common Infrared Countermeasure Quick Reaction Capability (ATW/CIRCM QRC) to Support Joint Urgent Operational Need (JUON) SO-0010, CIRCM Critical Intelligence Parameters Breach, December 18, 2015 - Directed Requirement for Limited Interim Missile Warning System to Detect Enemy Man Portable Air Defense Systems, March 26, 2017 - Update to the Directed Requirement for the United States Special Operations Command Joint Urgent Operational Needs SO-0010 Threat Detection and Countermeasures to Enemy Man Portable Air Defense System Capability, November 16, 2018 - Directed Requirement for Limited Interim Missile Warning System to Detect Enemy Man Portable Air Defense Systems, November 16, 2018 - Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) Modernization Fielding Guidance, Change 1, November 19, 2018 - Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) for Radio Frequency (RF) Project Manager Aircraft Survivability Equipment (PM ASE) Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) for Radar Warning Receiver AN/APR39-D(V)2 to AN/APR39-E(V)2, June 24, 2019 by PEO IEW&S. - MDD Request for the ITDS Program of Record, Aviation Capability Development and Integration Directorate (Aviation CDID), 6 July 2021. - MDD Request for the ITDS Program of Record, DCS, G-8, 14 March 2022. - Assignment of an Army Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) for the ITDS Capability, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) (ASA(ALT)), 18 April 2022.

Document Details

• Document Type: R2 Budgetary Justification
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 0605051A_5_2040_PB_2025
• Change Summary Explanation: Funding realigned from XT4 (PE 0605049A): Advanced Threat Detection System (ATDS) in FY24 to ITD (PE 0605051A): Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS) in FY25.
• Service Agency Name: Army

Entities

Organizations

• United States Army

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering

Technology Areas

• Autonomy
• Autonomy - UAVs
• Directed Energy
• Microelectronics