WASHINGTON (November 10, 2021) – The U.S. Army has released for public review and comment the programmatic environmental assessment and draft finding of no significant impact for the proposed fielding of Iron Dome Defense System – Army (IDDS-A) at seven Army Installations in the continental United States.
The Army requests review and comments from government agencies, Native American Tribes and the public before December 15, 2021. The Army will consider these comments, along with its analysis, prior to making a final decision.
Copies of the PEA and FONSI are available for review at https://aec.army.mil/index.php?cID=352.
Written comments should be submitted to U.S. Army Environmental Command, ATTN: IDDS-A Public Comments, 2455 Reynolds Road Mailstop 112, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, TX 78234-7588. Comments can also be sent via email to usarmy.jbsa.aec.nepa@mail.mil with IDDS-A Public Comment as the subject line.
The Army assessed fielding the IDDS-A at Fort Bliss, Texas; Fort Hood, Texas; Fort Campbell, Kentucky; Fort Riley, Kansas; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Fort Stewart; and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the PEA analyzes potential environmental impacts associated with the construction and live-fire training required to field two batteries of the IDDS-A at one or two installations.
The Army intends to field two batteries of IDDS-A to provide an interim capability to defend fixed and semifixed sites such as an airfield or forward operating base. Fielding of the batteries are planned in FY 2022.
The Army has been developing an air defense system for a number of years, but it is not ready to deploy. Section 112 of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 required the Army to deploy an interim missile defense capability while development of the enduring solution continues. After evaluating existing air defense systems the IDDS-A was chosen to provide the interim solution.
The IDDS-A enhances defense against aircraft, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems, and rocket, artillery, and mortar fire. This capability is part of the air and missile defense modernization strategy that incorporates improvements in systems across the air defense portfolio.
The seven installations assessed were chosen because they will deploy the fixed or semifixed assets that IDDS-A would defend, or the installation supports an Air Defense Artillery brigade or battalion. In the first instance, co-location with units to be defended
will enhance training and coordination between supported and supporting units. In the second instance, integrating the IDDS-A battery into the ADA brigade or battalion will be simpler and less costly than other unit types.
Each battery would consist of approximately 60 soldiers, six missile firing units, one multi-mission radar, one radar control station, one battle management and control station, one communications shelter, one generator, one reload vehicle, and one maintenance vehicle. Standard Army heavy expanded mobility tactical trucks will transport the IDDS-A components. Fielding is not expected to require construction of facilities and ranges to support the IDDS-A.
The public comment period officially begins with the publication of the NOA in the Federal Register. Public comments should be submitted within the 30 days following that publication.
To request a copy of the PEA, or to submit questions, please contact the U.S. Army Environmental Command Public Affairs Office by email at usarmy.jbsa.aec.mbx@mail.mil or by phone at 210-466-1590 or 210-488-6061.