COUNTER-ROCKETS, ARTILLERY & MORTAR (C-RAM) DVPMT
Abstract
Counter-Rocket, Artillery, 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; locally warn the defended area with sufficient time for personnel to take appropriate action; intercept rounds in flight, thus preventing damage to ground forces or facilities; and enhance response to and defeat of enemy forces. The C-RAM capability 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 wireless local area network. The C-RAM SoS capability is currently deployed at multiple sites in two theaters of operation, providing them correlated air and ground pictures and linking them to the Army Mission Command and the Joint Defense Network 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 deployment 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 combat forces. The C-RAM SoS approach was initially validated by a Proof of Principle demonstration in December 2004 and has undergone more than 25 Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC)-supported operational assessments to incorporate multiple improvements in response to changes in threat tactics and lessons learned. The C-RAM Sense and Warn (S&W) capability is currently deployed to Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in support of Department of State/Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq (DoS/OSC-I) operations, and PD C-RAM is currently deploying C-RAM S&W capability to FOBs in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). 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. Continuing C-RAM SoS improvement efforts, to include C2 software upgrades, as well as deploying enhanced detection/intercept capability against low Quadrant Elevation (QE) rocket and Improvised Rocket Assisted Munitions (IRAM) , are required to meet emerging theater requirements. Support of the existing C-RAM SoS capability deployed in theater has been through the Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) process. . Near-term directed enhancements to the C-RAM SoS capability include use of Army tactical communications rather than commercial systems; integration of Warn functionality into the C2 workstation to reduce complexity and footprint; integration with Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Universal Ground Control Station (UGCS) for enhanced situational awareness, combat identification, and response options; and dynamic clearance of unplanned fires in conjunction with the Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) for rapid and enhanced response. Additionally, the C-RAM Program Directorate has been directed to make enhancements to Intercept (e.g., improved tactical mobility, upgun for increased lethality/range, and/or alternative options to the current LPWS Intercept capability). Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 1, will be the Army's acquisition program to provide the existing C-RAM Warn capability to all Maneuver Brigade Combat Teams (BCT). IFPC INC 1 is a horizontal technology insertion, using current C-RAM Warning equipment, to provide early, localized warning. It will employ the Air Defense Airspace Management (ADAM) Cell already resident in the BCT Headquarters as the C2 element, use the Firefinders and LCMRs already in the Target Acquisition Platoon of the Fires Battalion as the Sense element, and add Warning devices, controller, and dedicated communications devices between the existing radars and the ADAM Cell. The Capability Production Document (CPD) was approved in August 2010; The CPD was approved in August 2010. An operational assessment will be conducted to support a Milestone C decision.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Project
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2013
- Source ID
- 149_0604741A_5_2040_PB_2013
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