IAMD IBCS integrates Patriot missiles and Sentinel radar

The Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Battle Command System (IBCS) will be capable of launching and controlling Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) and PAC-3 missile interceptors from an IBCS operations centre following integration work carried out by the US Army and Northrop Grumman.

The government-industry team also added the Sentinel radar to the IBCS Integrated Fire Control Network, validating the common open architecture-based approach to integrating sensors.

Kelley Zelickson, vice president of air and missile defense systems for Northrop Grumman Information Systems, said: ‘The IBCS open architecture facilitates plugging disparate missiles and sensors into the army's integrated fire control network. Thus, in addition to affordable integration and expanded capability, IBCS provides the army with alternatives to buying or upgrading unique command and control systems when it desires to incorporate new missile or sensor components.’

Northrop Grumman will participate with IBCS in an army IAMD demonstration later this year. The demonstration is a snapshot of IBCS capabilities in the development process and will show integrated Sentinel and Patriot battle command operations. Development and operational testing planned by the army to begin in 2014 includes testing the IBCS capability to direct the firing of army IAMD weapons at White Sands Missile Range.

IBCS optimises battle management command and control by implementing an open, network-centric, system-of-systems solution. The system uses an enterprise, plug-and-fight approach to ensure that current and future sensors and weapon systems can be incorporated, allowing warfighters to take advantage of integrated army and joint capabilities. The IBCS programme also focuses on warfighter decision processes and tools to ensure intuitive situational understanding for time-critical engagements.