COMMON MISSILE WARNING SYSTEM (CMWS)

Abstract

CMWS is the subprogram identified as VU7. The US Army operational requirements concept for infrared (IR) countermeasure systems is known as the Suite of Integrated Infrared Countermeasures (SIIRCM). SIIRCM is an integrated warning and countermeasure system to enhance aircraft survivability against IR guided threat missile systems. The core element of the SIIRCM concept is the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasure/Common Missile Warning System (ATIRCM/CMWS) Program. The ATIRCM/CMWS is an integrated ultraviolet (UV) missile warning system, an IR Laser Jamming and Improved Countermeasure Dispenser (ICMD) serving as a subsystem to the host aircraft. The ATIRCM/CMWS program was restructured per an Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (USD (AT&L)) Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) dated April 15, 2009. USD (AT&L) designated the ATIRCM/CMWS program as an Acquisition Category (ACAT) ID special interest program, and directed the establishment of the CMWS and Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) subprograms. On September 3, 2010, the Principal Deputy to the USD(AT&L), Acting DAE signed an ADM approving the reinstatement of MS C for CMWS. The ADM redesignated the CMWS subprogram as ACAT IC. The Principal Deputy to the USD(AT&L) also approved the new baseline for CMWS. The CMWS subprogram is a UV missile warning system that cues both flare and laser countermeasures to defeat incoming missiles and provides a limited ability to warn aircrews of incoming unguided munitions. The B-kit consists of the components which perform the missile detection and identification, unguided munitions detection, false alarm rejection, hostile missile declaration, and countermeasure employment functions of the system. The CMWS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) receives UV missile detection data from Electro-optic Missile Sensors (EOMS) and sends a missile warning signal to on-board avionics (to alert crewmembers) and to the IR Jam Head Control Unit. Tier 1 threat missiles detected and tracked by the CMWS are subsequently defeated by a combination of missile seeker countermeasures, including decoy flares. In addition the CMWS ECU receives detections of unguided munitions which it then passes oral and visual cues to the aircrew. The aircrew then applies the appropriate Tactics Techniques and Procedures (TTPs) to break contact or engage the enemy with own ship ordnance. The CMWS Generation 3 (Gen 3) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) will meet Tier 1 requirements while retaining a low false alarm rate. The Gen 3 ECU is required to obtain a Full Materiel Release for CMWS and ensure protection against emerging guided missile 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. Justification RDT&E Fiscal Year 2013 Base RDT&E dollars in the amount of 12.094 million supports design and development of Tier 2/3 upgrades and CMWS enhanced sensor studies. CMWS will continue to spend RDT&E funds on the next generation sensor studies, new algorithm updates (Tier 2/3 upgrades) to counter new variants/missiles, and continue program security initiatives. The sensor studies will evaluate current CMWS technology as compared to the Navy JATAS program and look at the pros and cons of UV missile warning sensors compared to IR missile warning sensors for Army aircraft. The study will also examine other technologies to possibly enhance the CMWS UV sensor with either an IR or acoustic adjunct to determine possible cost savings to the USG.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2013
• Source ID: VU7_0604270A_5_2040_PB_2013

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering
• Missile Defense Systems.
• Sensor Fusion and Tracking Systems.

Technology Areas

• Directed Energy
• Microelectronics
• Microelectronics - Microelectromechanical Systems