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 deep sensing and targeting activities. We are coordinating with partners in the Intelligence Community and private industry to enhance Army access to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) space-based sensing and link with national-level capabilities to provide tactical-level sensor to shooter capability to combat formations.

Air and Missile Defense

Air and missile defense capabilities defend the Joint Force, allies, and partners against manned and unmanned air and missile threats. The Army’s integrated air and missile defense capabilities will protect joint forces from adversary aircraft, missiles, and drones to protect the force and enable operations. This includes both theater systems and tactical / short-range air defense like the Maneuver-Short Range Air Defense (MSHORAD) which defeats aerial threats to the maneuver force with a mix of kinetic capabilities. The Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) is developing a Directed Energy (DE) M-SHORAD variant that utilizes a 50kW class laser. We will field four DE prototypes for experimentation and further development. Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) will defend fixed and semi-fixed assets primarily against cruise missiles and Unmanned Aircraft Systems as well as fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Based on the authorization in the 2021 NDAA, the Army is currently preparing two Iron Dome batteries for operational deployment at the end of FY22. This spring the Army will conduct a shoot-off to inform our decision on the enduring IFPC solution. RCCTO is also working on two IFPC variants, a High Energy Laser (HEL) and a High-Powered Microwave (HPM). The IFPC-HEL uses a 300kW-class HEL to defeat Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (RAM) threats and is on track for demonstration. The IFPC-High-Powered Microwave is being developed with the Air Force to produce the Tactical High Power Microwave Operational Responder (THOR) in FY21 with a prototype expected in FY24. The Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) initial operational capability is 3QFY22 with fielding. IBCS is a revolutionary command-and-control system that streamlines sensor to shooter linkages for air and missile defense engagements—and once fielded with enable optimized employment of the Patriot force. This enhanced tracking system delivers an unambiguous view of the operating environment, allowing commanders and air defenders to make critical decisions within