Download or read book Electronic Warfare: DoD Should Select Most Cost-Effective Infrared Countermeasure System written by and published by . This book was released on 1998 with total page 14 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Army is developing the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasure (ATIRCM) System to protect U.S. aircraft from infrared guided missiles, while the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) intends to procure the Directional Infrared Countermeasure (DIRCM) System, which it is jointly developing with the United Kingdom, to satisfy the same requirement We reviewed these programs to determine whether the Department of Defense (DOD) is justified in acquiring both systems. We are issuing this report to bring to your attention our finding that the acquisition of both systems simultaneously may not be cost-effective and that substantial savings may be realized by procuring and having to support and maintain only one system. SOCOM and the Army are purchasing two separate active infrared countermeasure systems to protect U.S. aircraft. They plan to spend a total of approximately $2.74 billion, including about $2.475 billion for 815 ATlRCM systems and associated common missile warning systems and about $261 million for 60 DIRCM systems and its own unique missile warning system. In addition, there are many other potential customers for an active infrared countermeasure system, such as Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps aircraft that have not yet been committed to either ATIRCM or DIRCM. SOCOM and the Army both have a need for an effective integrated infrared countermeasure system capable of defeating infrared guided weapon systems. The Army considers this capability especially critical to counter newer, more sophisticated, infrared guided missiles. likewise, SOCOM has established an urgent need for a near-term directional infrared countermeasure system capable of countering currently deployed infrared guided missiles.