The Counter-Rocket, Artillery, Mortar (C-RAM) / Indirect Fire Protection Capability system
was developed early during Operation Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom in order to protect
ground forces and forward operating bases from the threat of rockets, artillery, and
mortars. C-RAM is made up of variety of systems which provide the ability to sense, warn,
respond, intercept, command and control, shape, and protect deployed forces.
A main component of the C-RAM system is the LPWS, which is modified from the U.S. Navy
MK-15 MOD 29 Block IB, Baseline 2 Close-In Weapon System, and mounted on a commercial
35 ton semi-trailer for land-based operations.
The M61A1 20mm Gatling gun is capable of acquiring its target and firing at a rate of 4,500 rounds
per minute.
The Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control (FAAD C2) system integrates the sensors, weapons,
and warning systems for C-RAM Intercept.
C-RAM was operationally deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, where its sense and warn capabilities
provided timely warning of more than 2,500 rocket and mortar attacks against C-RAM equipped
forward operating bases.
C-RAM was also purchased by Australia and the United Kingdom.
Mobility: Highly mobile, mounted on road-mobile platform
Role: Protect deployed troops from rockets, artillery,and mortars
Status: Previously deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan; purchased by Australia and the United Kingdom
Producer: Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, L3 Communications, Lockheed Martin
Tests showed that C-RAM had a 60 to 70 percent shoot-down capability.
On 16 December 2004, TARDEC's Active Defense Systems team conducted test simulation activities.
The first activity involved a live interceptor being loaded while waiting for a live mortar
to fall within engagement range.
This was followed by Mortar Tracking System(MTS) RADAR providing IAAPS a cue.
The system then tracked the mortar, computed a fire control solution, fired, updated the
fuse timing in flight, and the interceptor appeared to engage the mortar "nose to nose"
at the prescribed standoff in front of the mortar.
C-RAM used target acquisition sensors, including Firefinder and Lightweight Counter Mortar
Radar, to detect and track fired rounds.
The AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder radar system is produced by Northrop Grumman's Electronic Systems sector.
Once a threat is detected, audio and visual alarms sound to warn exposed soldiers.
A fire-control subsystem predicted the mortar round's flight path, prioritizes targets,
activates the warning system, and provides cueing data to defeat the mortar round while
still in the air.
The complete C-RAM system networks a ground-based version of Phalanx together with the Army's
Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar (LCMR) and Q-36 Target Acquisition Radar (AN/TPQ-36 Firefinder
Radar).
Unlike the naval version, C-RAM does not fire solid tungsten penetrators.
Instead, self-destructing explosive bullets are used, in order to reduce the risk of civilian
and friendly casualties.
The fire-control subsystem Northrop Grumman Mission Systems provided for C-RAM uses software
modified from FAAD C2, which ties together the sensors and weapons of the Army's short-range
air-defense battalions.
Northrop Grumman was the prime contractor for FAAD C2, which is operational throughout
the world and has been especially critical to homeland security efforts in the Washington,
DC area.
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