Electronic Warfare

Phased Approach to Infrared Upgrades Would Reduce Risk to Helicopters Gao ID: NSIAD-00-171 July 27, 2000

The Army's strategy for acquiring an improved infrared countermeasure system is to defer production and fielding until all four components of the system are successfully developed. Because of delays in developing the laser-based infrared jammer, most Army helicopters will remain vulnerable to currently fielded enemy heat-seeking missiles until the second half of this decade. A phased approach, installing either (1) the existing programmable dispenser, advanced flares, and existing missile warning system for about $175,000 per helicopter or (2) the new programmable dispenser, advanced flares, and new missile warning system when those components are ready, for about $300,000 per helicopter, would better protect the Army helicopters much sooner. The Defense Department said that the phased approach is impractical because all four components are being developed as an integrated system. Testing and fielding of the system as planned is very probable. GAO recognizes that using the new programmable dispenser, advanced flares, and new missile warning system is an option because these components are more likely to be ready in the near future than the new infrared jammer.

GAO noted that: (1) the Army's strategy for acquiring improved infrared countermeasure systems for its helicopters could be revised to better satisfy the needs of the Army's helicopters; (2) the current strategy is to defer production and fielding of the Suite of Integrated Infrared Countermeasures until all four components of the system are successfully developed; (3) however, because of delays in developing one of these components, the laser-based infrared jammer, most Army helicopters will remain vulnerable to currently fielded enemy missiles until the second half of this decade or later; (4) if the strategy is revised to take a phased approach, all helicopters scheduled to receive the countermeasures could be better protected from current heat-seeking missiles much sooner; (5) the phased approach could be accomplished by installing either: (a) existing programmable dispensers, advanced flares, and missile warning systems in use by the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, for about $175,000 per helicopter; or (b) the new programmable dispenser, advanced flares, and new missile warning system when those components are ready, for about $300,000 per helicopter; and (6) hence, the Army could provide improved infrared countermeasures for the 1,047 helicopters planned to first receive the Suite of Integrated Infrared Countermeasures for about $183 million for the first approach, and $314 million for the second approach.

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