AMERICA’S ARMY WINNING IN A COMPLEX WORLD

ACAT III
Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM) Intercept
Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS)
PEO Missiles and Space | Redstone Arsenal, AL
WARFIGHTING
FUNCTION
Mission Command
Movement and Maneuver
Intelligence
Fires
Sustainment
Maneuver Support
and Protection
Engagement
ACQUISITION
LIFECYCLE PHASE
Materiel Solution Analysis
Technology Maturation &
Risk Reduction
Engineering & Manufacturing
Development
Production & Deployment
Operations & Support
MILESTONE DECISION
AUTHORITY
Defense Acquisition Executive
Army Acquisition Executive
Program Executive Officer
DESCRIPTION
The Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM) Intercept evolved
from the operational success of the C-RAM system-of-systems effort
in theater. It transitioned to an acquisition program to provide counter-
RAM protection to the Indirect Fire Protection Capability/Avenger
Battalions, 5th Battalion 5th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Regiment
and 2nd Battalion 44th ADA Regiment, to defend against and defeat
enduring indirect fire (IDF) threats. The C-RAM Intercept capability
was originally deployed to forward operating bases in Iraq in support of
Operation Iraqi Freedom, and some systems are currently deployed in Iraq
and Afghanistan. In 2013, the Army Acquisition Executive designated
C-RAM Intercept an Army acquisition program and authorized fielding
of existing C-RAM Intercept assets and support equipment to ADA
battalions. Fielding is ongoing and impacted by continued deployment
of limited Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS) assets in theater.
BENEFIT TO THE WARFIGHTER
C-RAM Intercept provides counter-RAM protection to warfighting
personnel and high-value assets by detecting RAM launches and
intercepting rounds in flight.
SPECIFICATIONS
• Primary component is the LPWS, a modified U.S. Navy Phalanx
Close-In Weapon System mounted on a commercial 35-ton
semitrailer for land-based operations
• M61A1 20 mm Gatling gun capable of onboard target acquisition
and fire control
››
Firing rate: 4,500 rounds per minute
• LPWS barrels optimized for use with M940 ammunition
››
M940 designed to self-destruct beyond 2,000 meters to minimize
collateral damage
• Integrated search-and-track radars detect and engage wide range of
IDF threats
• C-RAM command and control system integrates sensors, weapons
and warning systems
PROGRAM STATUS
• 4QFY13:
››
Capability Production Document approval
››
Materiel Development Decision approval
• 1QFY15: LPWS Operator New Equipment Training complete
• 2QFY15: Operational Assessment
PROJECTED ACTIVITIES
• 2QFY16: Conditional Materiel Release
166
UNITED STATES ARMY