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A derivative of
IAAPS developmental countermeasures
system, was optimized for close-in defense, was
developed by United Defense in 2004, as a near-term countermeasure
against RPG threats encountered in Iraq. The Close-In
Counter-Measures (CICM) System uses passive cueing sensors (flash
detector) and
low-cost tracking radar to detect and acquire potential threats at
close ranges.
Once an incoming threat is identified, the system points to its
direction, and launches a barrage of 55 pellets, forming a "wall"
of steel in the direction of the threat, 10 meters from the
protected vehicle. Since the pellets are designed to loose energy
rapidly, collateral damage to nearby troops, or bystanders is
minimized, and self-inflicted damage to the protected platform is
avoided. The system traverses over 180 degrees, and is loaded with
two bi-directional units for full hemispherical coverage.,
allowing for two shots in each 180 sector. The system can be
manually reloaded immediately after the attack. The weight of the
operational system is expected to be at the range of 200 kg, and
due to its low recoil, it could be used on light vehicles
including medium trucks and even Humvees. (although it will not
leave much room for other mission payloads). A derivative of the
system, considered for use on helicopters, will use a 360
degrees traversing platform and a uni-directional charge.
CICM was successfully tested in the past year (Q4/2003 - Q3/2004),
against RPG type threats, where it automatically detected launched
RPGs, tracked incoming rockets, launched its countermeasures and
defeated RPGs before they reached the protected system.
The Army is also testing the Close-In
Active Protection System (CIAPS) which could actually be a
predecessor of CICM. The system consists of a radar staring in all
directions that can detect an incoming threat at very short range
and launch one of an array of pre-positioned interceptors to
intercept and destroy the threat shaped charge warhead before it
hits the protected vehicle. It is effective against anti-tank
guided missiles (ATGMs) as well as rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs)
and can defeat threats launched from very short range.
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