Indirect Fire Protection Capability Inc 2 - Block 1

The Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2 (IFPC Inc 2) - Block 1 program is a key component of the Army's Air and Missile Defense Modernization Priority. Its primary objective is to develop and demonstrate a ground-based weapon system capable of acquiring, tracking, engaging, and defeating subsonic cruise missiles, unmanned aircraft systems, and rocket, artillery, and mortar threats. The system integrates a launcher, AIM-9X interceptor, and All-Up-Round Magazine with the Army Integrated Air and Missile Defense open systems architecture, the IAMD Battle Command System, and the Sentinel sensor. The program is managed by the Army's Air and Missile Defense Cross Functional Team and is executed by Program Executive Office Missiles and Space.

In FY 2025, IFPC Inc 2 transitioned from Middle Tier Acquisition Rapid Prototyping to Rapid Fielding, marking a significant milestone in delivering operational capability. The FY 2026 budget supports continued developmental and operational testing, initial operational test and evaluation, logistics demonstration, product improvements, and training activities. These efforts are designed to ensure the system's operational supportability, validate technical manuals, and facilitate early and continuous Soldier feedback, particularly for deployments in support of United States Forces Korea Transformation in Contact. The program also includes extreme natural environment testing and participation in the Integrated Fires Test Campaign to validate interoperability within the Army's broader air and missile defense architecture.

The IFPC Directed Energy Integration and Test initiative is a complementary effort within IFPC Inc 2, focusing on the transition and integration of high energy laser and high powered microwave technologies. Managed in coordination with the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office, this line item supports the development and testing of non-kinetic effectors for counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar, counter-cruise missile, counter-unmanned aircraft systems, and denial of manned aircraft threats. FY 2026 funding enables continued support for the IFPC high energy laser and high powered microwave transition teams, ensuring these emerging technologies are effectively incorporated into the IFPC mission set.

The IFPC Increment 2 - Block 2 (IFPC 2nd Interceptor) program represents the next phase of capability development, targeting more advanced threats such as supersonic cruise missiles. Secondary objectives include subsonic cruise missiles, Group 2 and 3 unmanned aircraft systems at extended ranges, large caliber rockets, and fixed and rotary wing aircraft. The FY 2026 budget supports the initiation of a development contract for up to two vendors, following feasibility studies conducted in FY 2025. Key activities include finalizing design concepts, initiating technology design and demonstration phases, integrating the 2nd interceptor with the IAMD Battle Command System and the IFPC Inc 2 launcher, and procuring prototype materials for hardware and software demonstrations.

The acquisition strategy for IFPC Inc 2 - Block 2 is structured around competitive Other Transaction Authority agreements, beginning with feasibility studies awarded to up to four offerors and progressing to a 24-month design and demonstration phase with up to two vendors. This approach is intended to foster innovation and ensure best value for the Army. Upon successful demonstration, the program will proceed to a development, qualification, and test effort, ultimately down-selecting to a single vendor for full-rate production. These steps are guided by Acquisition Decision Memoranda and are aligned with the Army's adaptive acquisition framework.

Both IFPC Inc 2 - Block 1 and Block 2 programs are closely integrated with other elements of the Army's air and missile defense infrastructure, including the Sentinel radar, IAMD Battle Command System, and open systems architecture. The programs leverage modeling and simulation, hardware-in-the-loop, and live fire data to inform design decisions and close performance gaps. The FY 2026 funding increases reflect expanded test events, accelerated software development, and the initiation of new development contracts, particularly for the 2nd interceptor. These investments are justified by the need to address evolving threats from near-peer adversaries and to maintain technological superiority in air and missile defense.