The Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center successfully fired three missile interceptors from the Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 Block 1 Multi-Mission Launcher launch tube at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division, China Lake, Calif. the week of Oct. 27. This first firing paves the way for future interceptor firings from the target platform and exemplifies how government entities can work together to save taxpayer dollars.
The MML is an Army effort to design and develop the next generation launcher in support of the IFPC Increment 2‐Intercept program. IFPC Increment 2-I is a major acquisition program originating with the Program Executive Office, Missile and Space.
The MML features both an open architecture and the capability to launch a variety of munitions in order to provide comprehensive air defense against both current and future threats. MML will provide 360-degree protection and the ability to simultaneously engage targets from different azimuths. These targets include; cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems, rockets, artillery and mortars.
AMRDEC will build two MML prototypes during the technology maturation and risk reduction phase of development. ARMDEC's MML design began with the M1157, an Army dump truck, selected to reduce life cycle cost and logistics. Other components include the elevation assembly, tube and launch rails, generator and fire control software.
The Army-led team designed, fabricated, integrated and tested within the construct of a formal acquisition program-of-record. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics waived the requirement for competitive prototyping, saving millions of dollars and making the program affordable within the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) portfolio.
AMRDEC will continue to mature the design, focusing on the Navy's AIM-9X missile as part of the initial deployment while striving for platform flexibility. The Army plans to launch at least two unique interceptors during an engineering demonstration from the launcher platform in March 2016. The Army plans to field the system in two active duty and seven National Guard battalions beginning in 2019.
The AMRDEC is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.
RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command). AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.
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