Counter rocket, artillery, and mortar

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Israeli Iron Dome air defense and C-RAM system.
2010 test-fire of a C-RAM. Balad, Iraq
Nächstbereichschutzsystem MANTIS of the Luftwaffe

Counter rocket, artillery, and mortar, abbreviated C-RAM or counter-RAM, is a set of systems used to detect and/or destroy incoming rockets, artillery, and mortar rounds in the air before they hit their ground targets, or simply provide early warning.

The intercept capability of C-RAM is effectively a land version of weapons such as the Phalanx CIWS radar-controlled rapid-fire gun for close-in protection of vessels from missiles; either weapon system also uses a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera to allow a defender to visually identify these target threats before engaging the targets.

One major difference between the land- and sea-based variants is the choice of ammunition. Whereas naval Phalanx systems fire tungsten armor-piercing rounds, the C-RAM uses the 20mm HEIT-SD (high-explosive incendiary tracer, self-destruct) ammunition, originally developed for the M163 Vulcan air defense system. These rounds explode on impact with the target, or on tracer burnout, thereby greatly reducing the risk of collateral damage from rounds that fail to hit their target.

Operation[]

PM C-RAM with the Phalanx CIWS[]

A 20mm LPWS (Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System), a land based variant of the US's Phalanx close-in weapon system. PM C-RAM developed and successfully tested a system similar to Iron Dome.[1]

Iron Dome[]

Iron Dome is an Israeli missile system featuring multiple-target tracking and self-guided missile interceptors. Due to the ongoing increase of its engagement range and new missile and interception improvements, plus surface-to-air missile capability, it has developed into a fully-fledged air defence system. By November 2012, the system had intercepted over 400 rockets fired into Israel by Gaza Strip militants. Based on operational success, defense reporter Mark Thompson estimates that Iron Dome is currently the most-effective and most-tested counter missile system in existence.

Nächstbereichschutzsystem MANTIS[]

Nächstbereichschutzsystem MANTIS is a 35mm fully automated C-RAM system, produced by Rheinmetall based on Oerlikon's Skyshield. It has been in use by the Luftwaffe from 2011.

Porcupine[]

A typical Porcupine configuration for the Italian Army consists of four firing units, one central control post for target designation and weapon control and a 3D radar system "track while scan type" for surveillance and target tracking. Each remote firing unit consists of a 20 mm M61A1 Gatling cannon, its ammunition handling system and a stabilised optronic infra-red (IR) tracking system.[2]

DRACO[]

The DRACO is a multipurpose weapon station operating against Air, R.A.M. and Surface targets. It was designed for the Italian Army by OTO-Melara using the Centauro 8x8 wheeled armored vehicle chassis. The main armament consists of a high rate of fire 76mm/62 gun with an automatic ammunition loading system; the 76mm/62 gun is electrically controlled for elevation and traversing, and is stabilized in elevation. DRACO can be installed on 8x8 wheeled platforms, for combat support operations or convoy defence, as well as on tracked vehicles or on shelters for point defence. The main 76mm/62 gun and the automatic loading system are fully compatible with all in service 76mm rounds and also with 76mm DART guided ammunition. DRACO can be completely controlled by two Operators (the Commander and the Gunner) from a remote position, located inside the hull for mobile installation or inside a protected command shelter for fixed installation.[3]

LD-2000[]

The LD-2000 SPAAGM is a Chinese developed land-based close-in weapon system. LD-2000 is based on the Chinese Navy's Type 730 CIWS. In operation, it pairs with a Counter Battery Radar.[4]

Directed energy research[]

The United States has been enhancing its directed-energy weapon capabilities aimed at countering threats posed by missiles. A directed-energy weapon is a ranged weapon system that inflicts damage at a target by the emission of highly focused energy, including laser, microwaves and particle beams. The US Army awarded a $29m contract in 2016 to Kratos Defense & Security Solutions for prototyping of such systems.

The U.S. defense contractor Raytheon is developing a laser-based variation where low cost focused lasers will provide increased range and decreased time-to-intercept over the gun. A proof of concept was demonstrated on a 60 mm mortar round in 2006.[5]

Iron Beam is an air defense system in development by Israeli defense contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.[6] Unveiled at the 2014 Singapore Air Show on 11 February,[7] the system is designed to destroy short-range rockets, artillery, and mortars with a range of up to 7 km (4.3 mi), too small for the Iron Dome system to intercept effectively.[6] In addition, the system could also intercept unmanned aerial vehicles.[8] Iron Beam will use a "directed high energy laser beam" to destroy hostile targets with ranges of up to 7 kilometres (4.3 mi).[6][9] Iron Beam will constitute the fifth element of Israel's integrated air defense system,[6] in addition to Arrow 2, Arrow 3, David's Sling, and Iron Dome.[10] However, Iron Beam is also a stand-alone system.[8]

Operators[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Thompson, Mark (19 November 2012). "Iron Dome: A Missile Shield That Works". Time. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "PORCUPINE C-RAM - DETAIL - Leonardo - Aerospace, Defence and Security". Otomelara.it. Archived from the original on 22 October 2015.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b "DRACO - DETAIL - Leonardo - Aerospace, Defence and Security". Otomelara.it. Archived from the original on 21 December 2015. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  4. ^ Kopp, Carlo (October 2010). "Counter-Rocket Artillery Mortar futures" (PDF). Australia Air Power.
  5. ^ "A Laser Phalanx?". Defenseindustrydaily.com. Retrieved 21 January 2018.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b c d Williams, Dan (19 January 2014). "Israel plans laser interceptor 'Iron Beam' for short-range rockets". JERUSALEM: Reuters. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  7. ^ http://www.rafael.co.il/Marketing/195-1951-en/Marketing.aspx
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b RAFAEL Develops a New High Energy Laser Weapon | Defense Update:
  9. ^ Israeli company to unveil laser defense | UTSanDiego.com
  10. ^ Israel's Rafael to unveil laser-based defense system - Diplomacy and Defense Israel News | Haaretz
  11. ^ "16th Air Land Regiment, RAA". Australian Army. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  12. ^ "Flugabwehrgruppe 61" [Air Defence Group 61] (in German). Luftwaffe (German Air Force). Retrieved 5 September 2017.
  13. ^ "Air Defense: Chinese C-RAM Gets No Takers". Strategy Page. 6 July 2011.
  14. ^ "Royal Artillery Careers". Ministry of Defence. Archived from the original on 31 March 2009. Other operational commitments are conducted (in the tertiary role) using C-RAM - a new and highly sensitive self defense system which destroys rockets and projectiles in flight. Applicable to Gunner Rapier applicants only.

External links[]

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