" Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM)" Topic

These always reminded me of the weapon systems used on the ice planet Hoth LOL :). Does any rules set include them in game play? How about any in miniature? Robert

US Army Awards Northrop Grumman Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) Contract
by Staff Writers
Huntsville AL (SPX) Feb 08, 2012

C-RAM is a capability that integrates existing field artillery and air defense sensors, a commercial off-the-shelf warning system and a U.S. Navy-developed interceptor to protect U.S. and coalition personnel from indirect fire threat.

Northrop Grumman has received a $122 USD million contract to install and sustain Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) systems at forward operating bases (FOBs) supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and the ongoing United States Mission in Iraq (USM-I).

The contract includes options that, if fully exercised, would raise the potential value of the contract to $311 USD million.

Since initial fielding more than six years ago, the C-RAM system is credited with saving hundreds of lives through its ability to provide early warning of incoming indirect fire.

C-RAM is a capability that integrates existing field artillery and air defense sensors, a commercial off-the-shelf warning system and a U.S. Navy-developed interceptor to protect U.S. and coalition personnel from indirect fire threat.

Working closely with the U.S. Army, Northrop Grumman helped to take the C-RAM capability from concept to reality in less than 18 months.

"C-RAM is exemplary for smart integration of existing technology to serve critical needs," said Mike Twyman, vice president and general manager of the Defense Systems Division, Northrop Grumman Information Systems.

"We will continue our collaboration with the Army to enhance this system that has provided timely warning of more than 2,000 rocket and mortar attacks against our FOBs."

Under this contract, Northrop Grumman will provide systems engineering, production, deployment and logistics support for the C-RAM systems. The contract was awarded by the Army Contracting Command-Redstone at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.

Program management and technical direction will come from the Program Director, C-RAM, in the Army's Program Executive Office, Missiles and Space."

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Force on Force and Tomorrow's War both include rules for C-RAM systems.

When this would go off at Camp Liberty it was loud and scared the bejezus out of ya. When they tested the thing everyone would stop and watch when the announcement was sounded.

What goes up, must come down…

Yeah, Rhino. I wouldn't want to be downrange…

"What goes up, must come down"

That is a really good point and I have never really thought about it either in Real Life or in a game. Does anyone or game take into consideration the effect of falling rounds? Robert

IIRC I have heard about people being hit by falling bullets during celebrations such as weddings and others in the Middle East. I know it has happened a couple of times here at least in the US. No one really thinks about it. Robert

Well with what I recall seeing when this was used at Camp Liberty. The rounds went out so far and then exploded. Like mini flak I guess?

I remember when we invaded Iraq in the first gulf war. The news media (CNN) was showing damage in neighborhoods the Iraqi's said the USA had bombed. How small the damage was, we figured it was their own triple A they were throwing up and coming back down causing the damage?

I bet in ww-II all the triple A thrown up against bombers this happened a lot?

I would think so too Ironwolf. They put a helluva lot of munitions up in the air,parts of it at least,and it has to go somewhere. Robert

Oh, the ground-mounted CIWS.

The USN mounting uses DU or tungsten sabot rounds for more terminal effect, but the US Army insisted on rounds that carry a little HE and blow themselves into small(er) pieces on the way down. The Army version's ammo was originally developed for the M163 Vulcan (same gun, less automated).

Presumably the collateral damage issue would be one point in favour of directed energy weapons (eventually).

Thats true collins355 there is that. :). Robert

It even has it's own Facebook page LOL. Robert
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Doesn't look like it has any Friends though LOL. Robert