U.S. Army to strengthen air defense with Indirect Fire Protection Capability system production in 2025.

According to information published by the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) in June 2025, the U.S. Army is scheduled to begin production of the Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) Increment 2 system in early 2026, with initial operational capability anticipated by mid-2027. This mobile, ground-based weapon system is engineered to counter a spectrum of aerial threats, including subsonic cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and rocket, artillery, and mortar (RAM) attacks. IFPC Inc 2 is being developed to fill the critical gap between short-range air defense systems and strategic missile defense assets, offering flexible and scalable protection for key military assets and infrastructure.
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The new U.S. Army IFPC Inc. 2 air defense system is designed to defend fixed and semi-fixed sites against drones, cruise missiles, and RAM threats, offering a vital layer of protection for forward operating bases and essential military infrastructure. (Picture source: U.S. Army)

The IFPC (Indirect Fire Protection Capability) Inc. 2 is a new air defense system that integrates several advanced technologies, forming a comprehensive, layered defense capability. At its core is the Sentinel A4 radar, a next-generation air and missile defense radar system developed by Lockheed Martin. It provides 360-degree coverage and high-resolution detection of low-flying and small cross-section targets such as drones and cruise missiles. The radar’s enhanced discrimination capabilities allow it to accurately track and classify multiple incoming threats simultaneously.

The system is networked through the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS), a digital command and control platform that links sensors and shooters across multiple domains. IBCS enables operators to receive and process data from various radars and launch platforms, optimizing the selection and engagement of the appropriate interceptor based on real-time threat assessment. This level of integration is key to defending against complex and layered aerial attacks.

For intercept capability, the IFPC Inc 2 employs the AIM-9X Sidewinder missile, a highly maneuverable infrared-guided missile originally designed for air-to-air engagements. It has been adapted for ground-based launch with modifications that include an updated launch rail and fire control integration. Its agility and advanced seeker make it particularly effective against small, fast, and low-signature threats such as drones and cruise missiles. Future interoperability with other interceptors, such as the Tamir missile from the Iron Dome system, is also being planned to expand engagement flexibility.

A new multi-mission launcher has been developed specifically for the IFPC Inc 2 to house and deploy these interceptors. The launcher is designed for high mobility and modularity, allowing it to be quickly deployed to different operational theaters and configured for various missile types. It features vertical launch cells and is compatible with the Army’s transport platforms, ensuring rapid redeployment and logistical efficiency.

The IFPC Inc 2 concept is a critical evolution in layered air and missile defense. Designed to bridge the capability gap between existing short-range air defense systems such as the Avenger and Maneuver-SHORAD, and strategic systems like the Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), IFPC Inc 2 delivers a versatile and scalable solution. It is particularly tailored to defend high-value fixed or semi-fixed sites like military bases, command centers, or logistics hubs, which are increasingly targeted by adversaries using low-flying and small radar cross-section threats such as drones and cruise missiles.

The need for such a system has become even more urgent in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russia’s extensive use of loitering munitions, cruise missiles, and long-range rocket artillery has highlighted the vulnerability of military and civilian infrastructure to persistent aerial threats. Ukrainian forces, despite significant Western assistance, continue to struggle with intercepting complex barrages involving cheap drones followed by more expensive cruise missiles. This operational reality has underscored the value of layered, modular air defense systems capable of engaging a wide range of threats with cost-effective interceptors. For the U.S. Army, which anticipates potential future conflicts against technologically advanced adversaries, IFPC Inc 2 offers a crucial middle-tier capability to counter saturation attacks, enhance force protection, and reduce over-reliance on high-cost missile systems like Patriot.

Developmental testing of IFPC Inc 2 began in January 2024. According to program officials, Phase 3 concluded in August 2024 and validated launcher performance and data link integration with interceptors in a system-of-systems environment. Phase 4, the final stage, is underway and expected to be completed in early 2025. These tests are crucial for verifying that the system meets all operational requirements before it transitions to the Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) pathway, signaling the start of mass production in fiscal year 2025.

In November 2024, Dynetics, now a subsidiary of Leidos, was awarded a contract worth up to $4.1 billion for the low-rate initial production (LRIP) and full-rate production of IFPC Inc 2 systems. The first order includes 18 launchers, with scheduled deliveries running through 2029. This contract also includes engineering and logistics support to ensure operational readiness and long-term sustainment.

As the IFPC Inc 2 system advances toward full operational capability, it is poised to become a central component of the U.S. Army’s next-generation air and missile defense strategy. With increasing threats from adversaries deploying swarming drones, precision-guided munitions, and cruise missile barrages, IFPC Inc 2 provides a robust and adaptable shield for protecting critical U.S. and allied forces. The system's fielding will mark a significant leap in defending against modern threats in both regional conflicts and high-intensity peer adversary engagements. Drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine, the U.S. Army recognizes that future battlefields will demand agile, networked, and cost-efficient air defense systems to maintain operational freedom and strategic deterrence.