FORT SILL, Okla., Oct. 26, 2017 -- Officers from Air Defense Artillery Basic Officer Leader Course (BOLC) Class No. 03-17 received hands-on exposure to myriad weapon systems, Oct. 2.
At the forefront of unique and specialized systems introduced to the students was the Counter - Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) Intercept Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS), commonly referred to as C-RAM.
"Early hands-on experience is important for our new officers," said Capt. Peter Mitchell, operations officer at the 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade -- the Army's sole air defense training outfit. "After we train our new lieutenants in their basic officer duties, it is important to expose them to a variety of weapon system they may one day be expected to manage and employ."
The C-RAM/LPWS provides an important capability to deployed troops and assets with its ability to intercept and destroy incoming artillery, rocket, and mortar rounds before impact.
The land-based C-RAM system was originally adapted from the Navy's Phalanx Close-In Weapon System, a seaborne platform designed to intercept incoming anti-ship missiles. C-RAM has been a constant fixture in combat theaters since 2005, when it was originally fielded for land-based use.
Not all officers going through BOLC receive a hands-on orientation to the C-RAM system. All new officers in a given class remain together through the first phase of the course where they are taught basic officer functions and competencies.
Once the class is ready for more specialized training, it then splits into Short Range Air Defense (SHORAD) and High to Medium Air Defense (HIMAD).
The equipment that the officers will be exposed to is ultimately determined by the projected positions that they will fill after graduation from the course.
Officers going to SHORAD units will train on equipment such as the C-RAM, as well as the Avenger system, a Stinger missile launching pedestal mounted on Humvees.
Officers who will go to HIMAD units receive specialized training on equipment such as the Patriot Missile System and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system (THAAD).
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