PM ASE
Aircraft • Survivability • Equipment
Mission:
Develop and field world-class aircraft survivability systems that maximize the survivability of Army aircraft against a continually evolving threat without degrading combat mission effectiveness.
Vision:
Ensure that aircrews and their aircraft are protected against all emerging threats, regardless of airframe or mission.
Product Managers
IR Countermeasures
Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM)
MISSION
Detects missile launches/flights, protects aircraft from infrared (IR) guided missiles, and provides threat awareness and IR countermeasures using an airborne self-protection system.
DESCRIPTION
ATIRCM provides warning of missile approach using the AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System (CMWS), which detects the missile, rejects false alarms, and cues the onboard infrared jamming system’s jam head to the missile’s location. When the jam head finds the missile with its IR tracking system, it emits a high-energy infrared beam to defeat the missile’s infrared seeker.
SYSTEM INTERDEPENDENCIES
- Common Missile Warning System (CMWS)
PROGRAM STATUS
- Post-MS C
- Fielded as a QRC in 2009 for CH-47 aircraft
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
- ATIRCM to be replaced by CIRCM beginning in 2023
Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM)
MISSION
Defeat Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) threats thereby increasing aircraft survivability.
DESCRIPTION
CIRCM is the next generation lightweight, laser-based infrared countermeasure system that will interface with both the Army’s Common Missile Warning System (CMWS), Limited Interim Missile Warning System, and any future Missile Warning Systems (MWS) to defeat current and emerging missile threats to target rotary-wing, tilt-rotor and small fixed-wing aircraft across the DoD. CIRCM receives hand-off from the MWS, and employs a pointing and tracking system to track incoming missiles. CIRCM is utilizing Open Systems Architecture which allows flexibility with software and hardware refreshes to keep pace with future threats.
CIRCM is the lighter weight system analogous to the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) system which is installed on CH-47F aircraft.
SYSTEM INTERDEPENDENCIES
The CIRCM system will operate with the Army’s MWS (CMWS). The “Common” refers to the intent that the system is designed in such a way that it can be integrated with other-Service platforms’ MWS and be required to communicate with the MWS using a standard interface.
The CIRCM program continues Production & Deployment activities and is executing within the parameters outlined in the Acquisition Program Baseline.
On 14 SEP 18, the AAE approved the CIRCM MS C decision. Now, the CIRCM program is initiating Low Rate Initial Production in preparation for the Initial Operational Test and Evaluation in FY19. The CIRCM system is also being accelerated to field in support of Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) requirements. A limited number of CIRCM systems will be integrated with the Advanced Threat Warner (ATW) missile warning system to meet critical size, weight, and power requirements associated with current urgent fielding needs.
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
- CIRCM IOT&E will begin in FY19.
- A CIRCM Full Rate Production (FRP) decision is expected in FY20.
- CIRCM is expected to begin fielding in FY20.
Missile Warning
Common Missile Warning System (CMWS)
MISSION
Airborne self-protection system which detects missile launch/flight and protects aircraft from Infrared (IR) guided missiles and unguided munitions. Provides threat awareness and data required to deploy IR countermeasures.
DESCRIPTION
An integrated IR countermeasures suite utilizing five sensors to display accurate threat location and dispense decoys/countermeasures, detects missile launch and flight of infrared guided threat missiles and unguided munitions to protect Army aircraft. CMWS provides passive missile warning and hostile fire indicators while operating independently or as a component of the ATIRCM and CIRCM systems. Provides detection of unguided threats and situational awareness to aircrew with visual and aural cueing. Protects aircraft by deploying flares and/or by cueing laser-based countermeasure systems. Consists of five Missile Sensors mounted to the surface of the aircraft, an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), a reprogrammable User Data Module, a Sequencer and Improved Countermeasure (flare) Dispensers.
- Engages/defeats IR guided missile threats
- Automatic flare decoy dispensing – no pilot interaction required
- Generation 3 (GEN3) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) fielding with HFI
- Five Sensors
- Give declaration cues to pilot via audio tones and visual indications
- Battle hardened Missile and Hostile Fire (HFI) Warning system
CMWS remains a highly effective and reliable system, having amassed over 3 million combat hours. CMWS reliability has been independently scored as exceeding its threshold requirement by 800%. Most importantly, the US Army has not lost an aircraft or crew to a Man-Portable Air-Defense System since 2007.
SYSTEM INTERDEPENDENCIES
- Utilizes advanced Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) munitions (flares) with ICMD
- Utilizes multiple spectrums for threat correlation when combined with Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasure (ATIRCM)
Limited Interim Missile Warning System (LIMWS)
MISSION
The LIMWS Quick Reaction Capability answers a Chief of Staff of the Army Directed Requirement to rapidly develop, procure, and field a missile detection system with a greater capability than the current Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) in order to maintain overmatch of quickly emerging threat technology and tactics.
DESCRIPTION
LIMWS will utilize infrared (IR)-based sensors to detect incoming missiles and unguided hostile fire. The system will integrate fiber optic cables on Army rotary wing aircraft to provide for high speed data transmission from the sensors to the system processor. LIMWS will protect aircraft from missiles by deploying flares and/or by cueing laser-based countermeasure systems. LIMWS will provide enhanced missile warning capabilities, including increased detection range, improved detection in clutter and more agile algorithms to rapidly respond to emerging threats, for a limited set of Army and Special Operations aircraft.
SYSTEM INTERDEPENDENCIES
Cues laser based countermeasures (CIRCM) and/or deploys expendable munitions (flares) via Improved Countermeasure Dispensers (ICMD)
- Development and Production contract awarded in December 2017
- Critical Design Review completed in July 2018
- Production Acquisition Decision Memorandum received in June 2019
Threat Warning
Modernized Radar Warning Receiver (MRWR)
MISSION
APR-39E(V)2 (Modernized Radar Warning Receiver (MRWR)) will detect, categorize, and prioritize Radio Frequency emitters to provide visual and aural alerts to the aircrew warning them of targeting by RF-guided weapons.
DESCRIPTION
MRWR detects radar threats to aircraft and provides 360-degree coverage around the aircraft. When the system detects radar threats, it alerts the aircraft crew to each threat with a graphic symbol on the cockpit display. Accurate and timely radar warnings allow aircrews to recognize RF threats in time to deploy the appropriate countermeasures and perform the appropriate Tactics, Techniques and Procedures to avoid engagement.
MRWR provides a full digital capability to enhance threat discrimination capability and increased overall receiver performance against frequency agile RF threats and AESA radars.
SYSTEM INTERDEPENDENCIES
None.
PROGRAM STATUS
APR-39E(V)2 is an Engineering Change Proposal to the Navy’s APR-39D(V)2 with advanced technologies. The system is currently in development and expected to field the end of Fiscal Year 2024.
Laser Detection Set (LDS)
MISSION
Airborne self-protection system which detects aircraft targeting by laser illumination.
DESCRIPTION
The AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Set (LDS), an ACAT IV program, is a passive laser warning system that receives, processes, prioritizes, and displays threat information resulting The AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Set (LDS), an ACAT IV program, is a passive laser warning system that receives, processes, prioritizes, and displays threat information resulting
SYSTEM INTERDEPENDENCIES
- On the UH-60 aircraft the LDS works with the APR-39 RWR for display and voice capabilities.
- On the CH-47F the LDS works with the AAR-57 CMWS system for display and voice capabilities.
PROGRAM STATUS
Fielding is complete for the AVR-2B with the exception of less than 20 UH60L aircraft with completion date in Q2FY20 and the CH-47F fleet. Two hundred CH-47F aircraft are scheduled to receive the AVR-2B. Fielding to CH-47F fleet is requires CAAS 9.4 software that has been developed by PMCargo.
Common System Integration (CSI)
ATW/LAIRCM JUONS
MISSION
Provide a Quick Reaction Capability that detects and defeats rapidly emerging infrared missile threats in the operational areas.
DESCRIPTION
JUONS utilizes the Department of Navy (DoN) Large Aircraft Infrared Counter-Measure (DoN LAIRCM) which is composed of the Advanced Threat Warner (ATW) sensor to detect and determine trajectory of potential threat missile systems and the Guardian Laser Turret Assembly (GLTA) to defeat the threat with directed energy or expendables. The ATW/DoN LAIRCM system is backed-up by the Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) in specific conditions.
SYSTEM INTERDEPENDENCIES
Common Missile Warning System (CMWS)
PROGRAM STATUS
Full Operational Capability deployed. Currently in sustainment.
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
Future replacement by Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) and Limited Interim Missile Warning System (LIMWS).
