2003 Iraq War

C-RAM in the 2003 Iraq War

U.S. Army reporting documents C-RAM in Iraq as a U.S. and coalition base-defense system used to warn troops and intercept incoming rockets and mortars at selected forward operating bases and high-value sites.

Weapon profileCounter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system / C-RAM
SideUnited States and coalition forcesRoleAir DefenseForce Protection
Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system / C-RAM, Land-based close-in weapon system, Air Defense - 2003 Iraq War
Image source: Commons PACFIRE image

Evidence Map

ClaimSources
C-RAM was fielded to selected U.S. and coalition forward operating bases in Iraq.

Sources: Army C-RAM 100th Iraq Intercept

C-RAM achieved its first Iraq combat intercept in March 2006 and its 100th successful rocket or mortar intercept by late March 2008.

Sources: Army C-RAM 100th Iraq Intercept, Army University Press C-RAM Adaptation

The system protected forward operating bases and high-value targets in Iraq, with a 2007 account describing Phalanx/C-RAM fire during an incoming-munitions incident at a forward operating base.

Sources: Army C-RAM Defense Tactics

The Iraq role was U.S. and coalition fixed-site warning, intercept, and force protection against rocket, artillery, and mortar threats.

Sources: Army C-RAM 100th Iraq Intercept, Army C-RAM Defense Tactics

Timeline

Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar system / C-RAM In 2003 Iraq War

  1. Iraq operational need submitted

    The commander of Multi-National Force-Iraq submitted an operational needs statement requesting support against rocket, artillery, and mortar threats.

    Sources: Army University Press C-RAM Adaptation

  2. Sense-and-warn capability fielded in Iraq

    Army University Press reporting says a C-RAM sense-and-warn capability was fielded in Iraq by February 2005.

    Sources: Army University Press C-RAM Adaptation

  3. Initial operational capability declared

    The Army reported that C-RAM's initial operational capability was declared in July 2005.

    Sources: Army C-RAM 100th Iraq Intercept

  4. First combat intercept

    A C-RAM intercept battery achieved its first combat intercept in Iraq by disabling an inbound mortar round.

    Sources: Army C-RAM 100th Iraq Intercept, Army University Press C-RAM Adaptation

  5. 100th Iraq intercept

    Army reporting said C-RAM reached its 100th successful rocket or mortar intercept for high-value Multi-National Corps-Iraq assets in late March 2008.

    Sources: Army C-RAM 100th Iraq Intercept

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

The U.S. Army directly documents Counter Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar capability in Iraq during the 2003 Iraq War. A 2008 Army account says C-RAM reached its 100th successful intercept of a rocket or mortar fired at high-value Multi-National Corps-Iraq assets in late March 2008, after achieving its first intercept in March 2006.

Army reporting also places C-RAM at selected U.S. and coalition forward operating bases in Iraq. A later Fort Sill article describes the system protecting forward operating bases and valued targets in Iraq and includes a 2007 soldier account of hearing the Phalanx weapon system fire as incoming munitions detonated in the air rather than on the ground at a forward operating base.

Sources: Army C-RAM 100th Iraq Intercept, Army C-RAM Defense Tactics

Timeline

The Army traces the Iraq requirement to a June 2004 operational needs statement from the commander of Multi-National Force-Iraq requesting support against the rocket, artillery, and mortar threat. By February 2005, a sense-and-warn capability was fielded in Iraq, and in July 2005 the C-RAM initial operational capability was declared.

The intercept portion followed in March 2006, when a C-RAM intercept battery using the Navy-derived Phalanx 1B, Army Firefinder radar, and Lightweight Counter Mortar Radar achieved its first combat intercept of an incoming mortar round. By late March 2008, Army reporting said the capability had intercepted 100 rockets or mortars and provided more than 1,500 localized warnings.

Sources: Army University Press C-RAM Adaptation, Army C-RAM 100th Iraq Intercept

Operational role

In Iraq, the documented side was United States and coalition forces. The Army described C-RAM as a system-of-systems that combined sensors, warning, command-and-control, response links, and a Navy-developed interceptor to protect U.S. forces and coalition partners from incoming rocket, artillery, and mortar fire.

The role was fixed-site force protection rather than offensive fires. Army sources describe localized warnings that gave troops time to take cover, automatic aborts to avoid endangering friendly aircraft, and engagements in which the Phalanx-derived interceptor fired 20 mm rounds at incoming munitions so they detonated in the air.

Sources: Army C-RAM 100th Iraq Intercept, Army C-RAM Defense Tactics, Army University Press C-RAM Adaptation

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Sources