CIRCM

Abstract

This funding line is a key enabler of the Army Modernization Priorities in support of Future Vertical Lift (FVL) Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) and Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) platforms. The Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) budget line funding supports continuing A-Kit development, model based systems engineering, and integration activities for rotary wing and fixed wing aircraft. CIRCM (EB4) CIRCM is the next generation lightweight, laser-based Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) component that will interface with the Army's Common Missile Warning System (CMWS), Limited Interim Missile Warning System (LIMWS), Advanced Threat Warner (ATW), and future Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS) system to defeat current and emerging missile threats that use multispectral technology for rotary-wing, tilt-rotor and small fixed-wing aircraft across the Department of Defense (DoD). CIRCM receives an angular bearing hand-off from the Missile Warning System (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 Aircraft Survivability Equipment (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. Joint Urgent Operational Needs Statement (JUONS) SO-0010 and CIRCM Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) As a part of Phase 2a of the JUONS (SO-0010) program, the Army integrated the Department of Navy Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasure (DoN LAIRCM) system onto the Army and Special Operations Aircraft (SOA) platforms. Due to a number of challenges, circumstances, and variables, the Army updated the ATW/CIRCM QRC and Limited Interim Missile Warning System (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 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. FY 2024 Base Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDTE) funding in the amount of $11.509 million will fund A-Kit development, integration and test activities on multi-variant platforms as well as threat and vulnerability analysis.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2024
• Source ID: EB4_0605035A_5_2040_PB_2024

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering

Technology Areas

• Directed Energy