Next round of major testing for IBCS set to launch in weeks

摘要

U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command is readying within weeks to commence a high-stakes assessment of Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense - a command-and-control system that integrates sensors, weapons and mission command across an integrated fire control network. The system has struggled in development since 2009 but proponents say it has now rounded a corner and is ready for operational testing that could clear the way for a full-rate production decision. Initial operational test and evaluation of the IAMD Battle Command System (IBCS) will begin later this month. This will be a three-phase process that is expected to produce results for Army leaders to consider next April in support of determining whether to proceed with putting a capability that senior officials believe holds "game-changing" potential in the field. "We're getting ready to go into that, we've got folks out at White Sands [Missile Range, NM]; they're doing the training now," Christine Harbison, Northrop Grumman vice president and general manager of combat systems and mission readiness, said in an Oct. 12 interview during the Association of the United States Army's annual conference. Northrop is the IBCS prime contractor.