June 6, 2023
The U.S. Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC)
System
Background
Iron Dome reportedly served as the basis for the Army
Protecting high-value military sites against enemy cruise
initiating the IFPC Increment 2 program.
missile (CM), unmanned aerial system (UAS), and rocket,
artillery, and mortar (RAM) attacks has long been an
IFPC Increment 2
important consideration in protecting military forces. The
2020 Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict between Armenia and
Figure 1. IFPC Increment 2 Prototype
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
Source: IFPC Increment 2 Prototype: https://asc.army.mil/web/
fixed- or semi-fixed assets,” and “bridge the gap between
portfolio-item/ms-ifpc_inc_2-i/.
short-range air defense (SHORAD) systems—the Patriot air
and missile defense system, and the Terminal High Altitude
On September 24, 2021, the Army announced “the award of
Area Defense (THAAD) system.”
a three-year prototype Other Transaction Authority
Agreement (OTA) to Dynetics (a subsidiary of Leidos) for
Origins of the IFPC Program
the development and delivery of 16 launcher prototypes, 60
The Army initiated the original IFPC program, known as
interceptors, and associated all-up-round magazines for the
IFPC Increment 1, in 2004 based on a Multi-National
Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2.” The OTA
Force-Iraq Operational Needs Statement. In 2005, the Army
was valued at approximately $237.38 million over two and
deployed the Land-based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS)
a half years.
along with associated radars to Iraq to intercept hostile
rockets, artillery, and mortars (RAM). The Army treated
Plans called for prototype development in Huntsville, AL,
this as an interim solution and continued developmental
and Tucson, AZ, with deliveries to support testing
efforts. Concerned with the pace and direction of the
beginning in the fourth quarter of FY2022. The first IFPC
Army’s counter RAM (C-RAM) development, some in
Increment 2 combat-capable battery was to be available to
Congress expressed an interest in acquiring Israel’s Iron
the Army in the fourth quarter of FY2023. The Army plans
Dome C-RAM system as an interim solution. In both the
to make a Milestone C Decision (decision to transition to
FY2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (P.L.
procurement) in the second quarter of FY2024 and field the
115-232) and the FY2019 Department of Defense
first IFPC Increment 2 battalion by FY2026.
Appropriations Act (P.L. 115-245), Congress directed the
Army to deploy four batteries—two in 2020 and two in
IFPC Variants
2023—of a medium-range air defense system to counter
The Army is presently developing three IFPC variants, the
cruise missiles and other threats. In response to this
Increment 2 Interceptor variant, the High Energy Laser
mandate, the Army selected Iron Dome as providing “the
(HEL) variant, and the High Power Microwave (HPM)
best value to the Army based on its schedule, cost per kill,
variant. Each variant is in a different stage of development,
magazine depth, and capability against specified threats.”
and variants are intended to operate in a complementary
manner.
Because of difficulties integrating the first two Iron Dome
batteries into existing and planned U.S. Army air and
IFPC Increment 2 Interceptor Variant
missile defense command and control architecture, the
The interceptor variant is to utilize an open architecture
FY2021 NDAA (P.L. 116-283) waived the requirement for
design to enable future missile integration. Reportedly,
the final two Iron Dome batteries. The decision not to adopt
Increment 2 can employ the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The U.S. Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) System
and the AGM-114L Longbow variant of the Hellfire
FY2024 IFPC Budgetary Information
missile. The Army is also testing the Israeli Tamir missile
used by Israel’s Iron Dome system.
Table 1. FY2024 IFPC Budget Request
IFPC High Energy Laser (HEL)
Total Request
Funding Category
($M)
Figure 2. Notional IFPC High Energy Laser (HEL)
Procurement - IFPC
$313.189
Increment 2
RDT&E - IFPC HEL
$85.852
RDT&E - IFPC HPM
$11.166
Sources: Procurement: Department of Defense FY2024 Budget
Estimates, March 2023, Army Justification Book Volume 1 of 1,
Missile Procurement, p. 1-45. RDT&E: Department of Defense Fiscal
Year (FY) 2024 Budget Estimates, March 2023, Research,
Development, Test & Evaluation, RDT&E − Volume 2a, Budget
Activity 4, p. 338.
Notes: RDT&E = Research, Development, Test & Evaluation; $M =
Source: Notional IFPC High Energy Laser (HEL):
U.S. dol ars in mil ions.
https://www.army.mil/article/233346/
scaling_up_army_advances_300kw_class_laser_prototype.
Considerations for Congress
Oversight questions Congress could consider include the
IFPC HEL is being designed by Dynetics to protect critical
following:
fixed- or semi-fixed assets against CMs, UASs, and RAMs
using a laser as opposed to interceptor missiles. The Army
• To what extent would IFPC units be expected to protect
plans to mount four operational 300 kilowatt (kW)-class
other military services’ fixed or semi-fixed sites such as
IFPC HEL prototypes onto tactical vehicles by FY2024. If
Air Force air bases, Navy port facilities, or Marine
testing proves successful, the Army then plans to transition
Corps sites?
the IFPC HEL to a Program of Record in FY2025.
• A May 2023 Government Accountability Office (GAO)
IFPC High Power Microwave (HPM)
report on Missile Defense notes (p. 40) that IFPC
launchers are to be used for the defense of Guam. When
Figure 3. IFPC High Power Microwave (HPM)
would IFPC be deployed to Guam? Would it be a
rotational deployment or would an IFPC unit be
permanently stationed on Guam?
• How many IFPC units does the Army intend to field?
According to a February 22, 2022, article from Inside
Defense, “Army Plan Could Double M-SHORAD Buy,”
the Army reportedly plans for an IFPC force structure of
nine battalions, not including IFPC batteries within each
of the planned nine Maneuver–Short Range Air Defense
(M-SHORAD) battalions assigned to Army divisions.
Does this force structure reflect IFPC support to other
services as well as support to Guam air and missile
Source: https://breakingdefense.com/2023/01/us-army-selects-
defense efforts?
epirus-leonidas-for-high-power-microwave-initiative/.
• How many soldiers would be needed for the
According to the Army, the IFPC HPM is intended to
establishment of proposed IFPC units? Would the Army
provide short-range protection for fixed and semi-fixed
ask for additional end strength, convert existing units, or
sites against small UAS (weighing about 55 pounds or less)
deactivate existing units to obtain soldiers required for
swarm attacks. In January 2023, the Army reportedly
new IFPC units?
awarded a $66.1 million contract to Epirus to deliver four
• Would IFPC units be established in the Army National
high-powered microwave prototypes to the Army in
Guard?
FY2024 for testing.
• What is the Army’s timeline for fielding IFPC units, and
where would they be stationed?
Andrew Feickert, Specialist in Military Ground Forces
IF12421
https://crsreports.congress.gov
The U.S. Army’s Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) System
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https://crsreports.congress.gov | IF12421 · VERSION 1 · NEW