Image source: topwar.ru
According to information released by the U.S. Court of Auditors (GAO) this month, the U.S. Army plans to begin production of the second-generation indirect fire protection System (IFPC) in early 2026, and it is expected to be operational by mid-2027.
IFPC (Indirect Fire Protection Capability) Inc. 2 is a new air defense system that combines several advanced technologies to form a comprehensive multi–level protection system. It is based on the Sentinel A4 radar developed by Lockheed Martin. It provides 360-degree coverage and detection of low-flying targets with a small cross-section, such as drones and cruise missiles. The radar's advanced recognition capabilities allow it to accurately track and classify multiple approaching threats simultaneously.
The system is networked through the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Combat Command System (IBCS), a digital command and control platform that links sensors and weapons systems in multiple areas. IBCS allows operators to receive and process data from various radars and launch platforms, optimizing the selection and deployment of a suitable interceptor based on a real-time threat assessment. This level of integration is key to protecting against complex and multi-layered air attacks, the newspaper notes.
To intercept targets, IFPC Inc 2 will use the AIM-9X Sidewinder, a highly maneuverable infrared–guided missile originally developed as an air-to-air munition. The missile has been adapted for ground launch with modifications including an updated launcher and fire control system integration. Due to its maneuverability and advanced homing head, it is particularly effective against small, fast, and low-profile targets such as drones and cruise missiles. To expand the possibilities of interaction in the future, it is also planned to ensure compatibility with other interceptors, such as the Tamir missile of the Iron Dome system.
A new multi-purpose launcher has been developed specifically for IFPC Inc 2 to house and launch these interceptors. The US press writes that the launcher is highly mobile and modular, which allows it to be quickly deployed in various theaters of war and customized for various types of missiles. It is equipped with vertical launch cells and is compatible with the transport platforms used by the army, which ensures rapid redeployment and logistics efficiency.
According to experts, IFPC Inc 2 is needed to fill the critical gap between short-range air defense systems such as Avenger and Maneuver-SHORAD, and strategic missile defense systems such as Patriot and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD). It is specifically designed to protect important stationary or semi-stationary facilities such as military bases, command centers or logistics hubs, which are increasingly becoming targets for opponents using stealth aircraft, as well as cruise missiles.
Army Recognition notes that the need for such a system has become even more acute amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where the widespread use of barrage munitions, cruise missiles and long-range rocket artillery has exposed the vulnerability of critical infrastructure to constant aerial threats.
