The US Army has awarded Dynetics a $237.38 million contract for the development and delivery of a system for defense against drones and subsonic missiles.
Dynetics will be delivering of 16 field-able launcher prototypes, 60 interceptors and associated all-up-round magazines under the agreement.
The service’s contract announcement from September 24 follows the previously revealed decision to go with Dynetics instead of the Rafael and Raytheon Technologies team for the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2.
Rafael had pitched the Iron Dome system and Tamir interceptors for the program.
The IFPC Inc 2 is envisioned as a mobile, ground-based system designed to defeat subsonic cruise missiles, group 2/3 unmanned aircraft systems, rockets, artillery, mortars and other aerial threats. The Army’s Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) will serve as the fire-control component and the Sentinel Radar will serve as the sensor.
The Dynetics launcher/interceptor solution for IFPC Inc 2 leverages a launcher based on the previously-canceled Multi-Mission Launcher coupled with AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles.
The Army noted that the Sidewinder interceptors have a history of proven defense against the IFPC Inc 2 threat set, as well as an active production line. It also incorporates modular open-systems architecture for a solution that directly integrates with the IBCS.
Dynetics won the IFPC competition following a shoot off which consisted of modeling and simulation, and hardware in the loop, and culminated in a live-fire at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.
Prototype development will be performed in Huntsville, Alabama, and Tucson, Arizona, with deliveries to support testing beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2022. The first IFPC Inc 2 combat-capable battery will be available to the Army in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023.
