In Defense News (subscription only):
The U.S. Army is considering buying more Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) systems, first fielded in 2006 to protect forward operating bases from incoming fire, said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Michael Vane, who directs the Army Capabilities Integration Center.
The Army last increased its order in January, when it gave Northrop Grumman a $71 million contract to supply an unspecified number of C-RAMs. Vane declined to say how many of the weapons have been purchased, or how many might be added.
This seems to be an unstated confirmation that the C-RAM is performing acceptably in Iraq. C-RAM is based on the Navy's Phalanx Block 1B 20mm Close In Weapons System and a Forward Area Air Defense Command and Control network. The actual results in the field are classified.
See R2-D2 vs. Mortar Rounds and Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System C-RAM plus previous coverage on Defense Tech for more on this system.
--Murdoc
![Ukrainian serviceman runs tests flights with a Vampire hexacopter drone](http://images01.military.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail_large/public/2024-05/trib-ukrainian-soldier-hexacopter-drone-1200.jpg?itok=y9n8Zs2S "A Ukrainian serviceman of the "Achilles" Battalion from the 92nd Brigade of the Ukrainian Army runs tests flights with a Vampire hexacopter drone ahead of missions, in the eastern Donetsk region on April 30, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Genya Savilov/AFP via Getty Images/TNS)")
