Re: What happens in 2025?
Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) will be a set of mobile, ground-based weapon systems designed for Cruise Missile Defense (CMD), Counter-UAS (C-UAS) and Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortars [Counter-RAM] (C-RAM).
The Army doesn't know *exactly* what the precise mix of components will be; they bought two battalions of Iron Dome (now going to Israel) for use as an interim Cruise Missile Defense (CMD) system.
ENDURING SHIELD is the codename for one "final" Cruise Missile Defense System -- it's basically a palletized ground launcher for the AIM-9X Sidewinder. 16 launchers and 40 missiles will be received and tested in 2024.
The Army is taking their time to figure out IFPC to find out exactly what mix of weapons are needed -- i.e. the precise balance of missiles vs lasers vs high power microwave weapons -- because even the US can't afford to spend $400K per shot [rough cost of AIM-9X] on every target.
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