CMWS

The Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) line item (LI 5397AZ3517) in the Army's FY 2026 Aircraft Procurement budget is a critical component of the Army's Aviation Survivability Equipment (ASE) modernization strategy. The program's primary goal is to enhance the survivability of Army aircraft against infrared (IR)-guided missile threats by providing timely detection and countermeasure cueing. The CMWS is designed to alert aircrews to incoming IR-seeking missiles and certain munitions, enabling rapid deployment of countermeasures such as flares and IR laser jamming. This capability directly supports Army aviation operations in contested environments and aligns with the Army's broader modernization priorities.

The CMWS B-Kit is the core of the system, comprising missile and munitions detection sensors, an Electronic Control Unit (ECU), and software that processes threat data and cues countermeasures. The B-Kit's objective is to provide reliable, low-false-alarm detection and rapid notification to aircrews, allowing them to employ appropriate tactics or countermeasures. The Army Procurement Objective (APO) for the CMWS B-Kit was increased in 2022 to address evolving operational requirements and ensure sufficient coverage across the aviation fleet. The system will remain in service until it is replaced by a future program, with ongoing engineering, integration, and software support to address new and emerging threats.

The CMWS A-Kit consists of the mounting hardware, wiring harnesses, and interface components necessary to install the B-Kit on specific aircraft types. The A-Kit ensures the system is physically and functionally integrated with host platforms, both rotary and fixed wing. Procurement and installation of A-Kits are essential for fielding the CMWS across the Army's diverse aviation fleet, supporting both new installations and modifications to existing aircraft.

The Limited Interim Missile Warning System (LIMWS) Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) is a related line within this budget item, developed to bridge the gap between the current CMWS and the future Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS). LIMWS addresses specific Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) directed requirements for enhanced missile warning, including increased detection range, improved performance in cluttered environments, and more agile algorithms. LIMWS eliminates the need for sensor alignments and is intended to provide a higher level of protection against advanced threats, particularly man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS), until ITDS is fielded.

The budget request for FY 2026 includes funding for CMWS software maintenance, systems engineering, algorithm analysis, test and evaluation, and support analysis. Additional resources are allocated for LIMWS, covering contractor logistics support, training, publications, test equipment, and software updates. These funds ensure continued operational readiness, integration of new capabilities, and support for Army Aviation's rotational deployments. The request also reflects a reduction in Advisory and Assistance Services to promote efficiency in line with Executive Order 14222.

The CMWS and LIMWS programs are managed by the Army's Program Executive Office for Intelligence, Electronic Warfare and Sensors (PEO IEW&S), with procurement contracts awarded to industry partners. The programs support both active and reserve components and are necessary for homeland defense, domestic emergency response, and military support to civil authorities, as required by Section 1815 of the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.