COUNTER-ROCKETS, ARTILLERY & MORTAR (C-RAM) DVPMT

Abstract

: Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) is an evolutionary non-developmental program initiated by the Army Chief of Staff in response to the Indirect Fire (IDF) threat and a validated Operational Needs Statement (ONS). The primary mission of the C-RAM program is to develop, procure, field, and maintain a System of Systems (SoS) that can detect RAM launches; warn the defended area with sufficient time for personnel to take cover; intercept rounds in flight, thus preventing damage to ground forces or facilities; and enhance response to and defeat of enemy forces. The C-RAM current capability utilizes a SoS approach and is comprised of a combination of multi-service fielded and non-developmental item (NDI) sensors, command and control (C2) systems, and a modified U.S. Navy intercept system (Land-based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS)), with a low cost commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) warning system and local area network. The C-RAM SoS capability is currently fielded at multiple sites in two theaters of operation, providing them correlated air and ground pictures and linking them to the Army Battle Command System (ABCS) and the Joint Defense Network (JDN) with various forms of communications to provide situational awareness and exchange of timely and accurate information to synchronize and optimize automated Shape, Sense, Warn, Intercept, Respond, and Protect decisions. The fielding of the C-RAM SoS was accomplished through an incremental acquisition process driven by urgent operational needs, theater priorities, and emerging capability requirements to provide a counter-RAM capability to fielded forces. The C-RAM SoS approach was initially validated by a Proof of Principle demonstration in December 2004 and has undergone more than 20 Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)-conducted operational assessments to incorporate multiple improvements in response to changes in threat tactics and lessons learned. The C-RAM Program Directorate (PD C-RAM) has fielded the Sense and Warn (S&W) capability to 16 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in support of Operation New Dawn (OND) (formerly Operation Iraqi Freedom), with Sense, Warn, and Intercept at three (3) of those FOBs. PD C-RAM is currently employing a phased approach for fielding C-RAM S&W capability to 22 FOBs in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - fielding an Initial S&W capability to those FOBs with existing unit radars, followed by fielding the Full S&W capability using the latest TPQ-49 radars with 1361K Waveform Generators as they become available. In response to a theater requirement tasked to the Rapid Equipping Force (REF), C-RAM installed Mass Notification Systems (MNS) at multiple OEF sites to support base-wide alerts and announcements. Additional MNS fieldings are anticipated. Current development efforts include the implementation of improvements and upgrades/tests to fielded C-RAM, including integration/use of tactical radios, integration of Warn into the C2 workstation, mobile Up-Gun LPWS, integration with Unmanned Aerial Systems Universal Ground Station, and dynamic clearance of fires. Transition of the C-RAM program to the follow-on acquisition Program of Record (POR), Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC), is supported by the IFPC Increment 1 Capability Production Document (CPD) approved in August 2010, which requires fielding a Warn capability to the Brigade Combat Teams (BCT).

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Project
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2012
Source ID
149_0604741A_5_2040_PB_2012

Tags

Readers

  • Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Autonomous Capabilities and Mission Reconnaissance.

Technology Areas

  • Autonomy
  • Autonomy - UAVs
  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control

Related Documents