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1 1 (June 6, 2023)

handle is hein.crs/govelwa0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congressional Research Service M~ Inforrning the legislative debate since 1914 June 6, 2023 The U.S. Army's Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) System Background Protecting high-value military sites against enemy cruise missile (CM), unmanned aerial system (UAS), and rocket, artillery, and mortar (RAM) attacks has long been an important consideration in protecting military forces. The 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip have heightened interest in the efficacy of these force protection systems and highlighted the requirement to protect sites and other assets from such threats. According to the Army, the Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) System is a mobile, ground-based weapon system designed to defeat cruise missiles (CM), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), and rocket, artillery, and mortars (RAM). IFPC is to consist of a launcher and interceptors. IFPC is to use the U.S. Army's Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) for mission command and integrate the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel Radar as its sensor. IFPC is intended to protect critical fixed- or semi-fixed assets, and bridge the gap between short-range air defense (SHORAD) systems-the Patriot air and missile defense system, and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system. Origins of the IFPC Program The Army initiated the original IFPC program, known as IFPC Increment 1, in 2004 based on a Multi-National Force-Iraq Operational Needs Statement. In 2005, the Army deployed the Land-based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS) along with associated radars to Iraq to intercept hostile rockets, artillery, and mortars (RAM). The Army treated this as an interim solution and continued developmental efforts. Concerned with the pace and direction of the Army's counter RAM (C-RAM) development, some in Congress expressed an interest in acquiring Israel's Iron Dome C-RAM system as an interim solution. In both the FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (P.L. 115-232) and the FY2019 Department of Defense Appropriations Act (P.L. 115-245), Congress directed the Army to deploy four batteries-two in 2020 and two in 2023-of a medium-range air defense system to counter cruise missiles and other threats. In response to this mandate, the Army selected Iron Dome as providing the best value to the Army based on its schedule, cost per kill, magazine depth, and capability against specified threats. Because of difficulties integrating the first two Iron Dome batteries into existing and planned U.S. Army air and missile defense command and control architecture, the FY2021 NDAA (P.L. 116-283) waived the requirement for the final two Iron Dome batteries. The decision not to adopt Iron Dome reportedly served as the basis for the Army initiating the IFPC Increment 2 program. IFPC Increment 2 Figure I. IFPC Increment 2 Prototype Source: IFPC Increment 2 Prototype: https://asc.army.mil/web/ portfolio-item/ms-ifpcinc _2-i/. On September 24, 2021, the Army announced the award of a three-year prototype Other Transaction Authority Agreement (OTA) to Dynetics (a subsidiary of Leidos) for the development and delivery of 16 launcher prototypes, 60 interceptors, and associated all-up-round magazines for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2. The OTA was valued at approximately $237.38 million over two and a half years. Plans called for prototype development in Huntsville, AL, and Tucson, AZ, with deliveries to support testing beginning in the fourth quarter of FY2022. The first IFPC Increment 2 combat-capable battery was to be available to the Army in the fourth quarter of FY2023. The Army plans to make a Milestone C Decision (decision to transition to procurement) in the second quarter of FY2024 and field the first IFPC Increment 2 battalion by FY2026. IFPC Variants The Army is presently developing three IFPC variants, the Increment 2 Interceptor variant, the High Energy Laser (HEL) variant, and the High Power Microwave (HPM) variant. Each variant is in a different stage of development, and variants are intended to operate in a complementary manner. IFPC Increment 2 Interceptor Variant The interceptor variant is to utilize an open architecture design to enable future missile integration. Reportedly, Increment 2 can employ the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile

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