The US Army’s Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) has successfully engaged multiple targets during a live evaluation as part of the system’s first limited user test.
The Northrop Grumman developed IBCS demonstrated the ability to maintain continuous track custody of the targets, despite contested environment conditions, by fusing data from multiple sensors.
The first of two planned operational flight tests was conducted by the soldiers from the US Army 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Regiment. The test’s defense laydown included an air and missile defense task force including two battery and one battalion engagement operations centers, two Patriot and Sentinel radars, and three Patriot Advanced Capability Three (PAC-3) launchers connected at the component level, to the IBCS Integrated Fire Control Network (IFCN).
The test began when two cruise missile surrogate threats were launched and flew at a low altitude in a maneuvering formation through a mountain range towards defended assets.
IBCS fused real-time data from all sensors into a single, accurate composite track for each threat. The soldiers were presented with engagement solutions computed by IBCS which were then executed. The soldiers launched two PAC-3 missiles controlled by IBCS that successfully intercepted both threats.
Northrop Grumman says the IBCS was able to perform all functions successfully despite being subjected to contested environment conditions designed to disrupt the IFCN network, demonstrating the resilience and survivability of the system.
The limited user test, which comprises several tests, is intended to simulate realistic warfighting operations and place performance stresses on the systems to ensure it will perform as intended under the most rigorous circumstances once deployed. This LUT is conducted to inform a Milestone C decision which will transition the IBCS program into the production and operational testing phase.
The evaluation was initially scheduled for May, but was pushed back about a month due to COVID-19 safety concerns. The Army expects to complete the current test, which is being held at New Mexico’s White Sands Missile Range, by September.
“We are extremely pleased with how IBCS performed during this flight test,” said Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager, combat systems and mission readiness, Northrop Grumman. “We have been working on an extraordinary command and control system in partnership with the US Army, and our goals are the same – to get this capability into the hands of the warfighter as soon as possible.”
IBCS utilizes multiple sensors and effectors to extend the battlespace, engage threats providing 360° protection, increases survivability by enabling early detection and continuous tracking, and delivers transformational warfighting capabilities to defeat an increasingly complex threat.
The 3-43 ADA, a Patriot missile unit, will be the first unit equipped with the IBCS capability once the limited user test is complete. After the limited test is complete, the equipment and software will be refreshed to support an operational test and evaluation before the unit achieves an initial operational capability in 2022.
The new system will provide the army with an integrated command-and-control system, capable of blending current and future air and missile defense sensors and weapon systems under a unified network.
