CIRCM

Abstract

The CIRCM budget line includes funding to support the development and integration of ASE products onto FVL FARA, FLRAA aircraft variants and future platforms. The CIRCM budget line includes 1) CIRCM, 2) funding to counter emerging technology as identified in JUONS SO-0010 Phase 2a and the HQDA Directed Requirement for the Common Infrared Countermeasures Quick Reaction Capability (CIRCM QRC), 3) funding to support HQDA Directed Requirement for the Phase 3 ATW/CIRCM QRC. CIRCM (EB4) CIRCM is the next generation lightweight, laser-based IRCM component that will interface with both the Army's CMWS and future MWS to defeat current and emerging missile threats that use multispectral technology for rotary-wing, tilt-rotor and small fixed-wing aircraft across the DoD. CIRCM receives an angular bearing hand-off from the MWS, employs a pointing and tracking system which acquires the handed-over threat and tracks the incoming missile during and after motor burnout. CIRCM jams the missile by using modulated laser energy in the missile seeker band, thus degrading the tracking capability of the missile and causing it to miss the aircraft. CIRCM is utilizing Open Systems Architecture which allows flexibility with software and hardware refreshes. Tech insertions, when coupled with future threat acquisition and integration, will ensure CIRCM performance to keep pace with future threats. CIRCM is part of the suite of ASE Mission Equipment for the FVL platform. The CIRCM A-Kit includes mounting hardware, wiring harnesses, 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. The CIRCM B-Kit is the mission kit (laser, pointer tracker, and controller) required to achieve near spherical coverage for an aircraft. JUONS SO-0010 and CIRCM QRC As a part of Phase 2a of the JUONS (SO-0010) program, the Army integrated the DoN LAIRCM system onto the Army and SOA platforms. Due to a number of challenges, circumstances, and variables, the Army updated the ATW/CIRCM QRC and LIMWS Directed Requirements (dated November 16, 2018). The updated requirements extend the utilization of ATW DoN LAIRCM on conventional Army aircraft and cancel the need for the ATW/CIRCM QRC system for the conventional Army. (It should be noted that the updated requirement maintains the need for ATW/CIRCM on the Special Operations Aircraft. Sustainment of ATW on Special Operations Aircraft will transfer to Special Operations Aircraft budget line in FY22.) 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. Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 Base RDTE funding in the amount of $16.630 million will fund A-Kit development, integration and test activities on multi-variant platforms.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2022
• Source ID: EB4_0605035A_5_2040_PB_2022

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering

Technology Areas

• Directed Energy