Improved Threat Detection System (ITDS)

The ITDS is Army Aviation's premier threat warning system that protects Army aircraft in the full range of military operations from border security to Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). The ITDS offers superior aircraft protection against Air Defense (AD) threat systems and a multi-functional sensor and open systems architecture for advanced situational awareness and data enabled formations through Command-and-Control data layer integration. The ITDS will detect, classify, declare, and cue countermeasures against Group I - IV Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Surface to Air Missiles (SAMs), Man-Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS), Air to Air missiles (AAM), Anti-Aircraft Artillery (AAA), laser guided weapons, and small arms. The system will provide up to 5x greater sensitivity and 15x greater resolution improvement over currently fielded systems. Coupled with advanced algorithms, this capability enables freedom of maneuver on the modern UAS contested battlefield. ITDS supports mission intel by providing "Event Recreation Data" to Command and Control systems, which will inform the Tactical Operations Center (TOC) on adversarial weapon capabilities in the Area of Responsibility (AOR) to operate effectively and maintaining military advantage. When Army aviation platforms equipped with Missile Warning Systems get engaged by threats, that engagement is recorded and saved on the removable data module (RDM). The data collected includes Threat Track Data and other ancillary data which replicates the system state at the time of the engagement. Some of the key data that supports mission intel are the Threat Type and Point of Origin. ITDS records this data while instantly providing this information to command and control systems for mission support. Existing A-Kits will be utilized by the ITDS to the maximum extent to enable the integration of innovative solutions and technologies. Justification: ITDS: FY 2027 RDTE dollars will fund design and demonstration testing, prototype application hosting, sensor characterization and flight test, digital simulation modelling assessments, aircraft integration, reliability, manufacturing, technical readiness assessments, training development, and data products such as operators and maintenance technical manuals.