Lockhead Martin

TLVS/MEADS can provide regional defense capability for Germany

MEADS can fire PAC-3 MSE missiles in any direction and can defeat threats attacking from behind. Photos: Lockheed Martin

(BSC/Lockheed Martin) In June, Germany announced that it had selected the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) as the basis for its future air and missile defense system. Developed by Lockheed Martin and MBDA, MEADS will introduce an array of new defense capabilities. What does this bold new direction mean for the future of air and missile defense?

Using technology developed for MEADS, Germany‘s Taktisches Luftverteidigungssystem (TLVS) will implement plug-and-fight, open architecture, and networked operation. MEADS is only medium-range system that provides full 360-degree defense against the full range of 21st century threats, including cruise missiles.

“With this decision in favor of MEADS, Germany has opted for a powerful, state-of-the-art, long-term ground-based air and missile defense system sufficient to meet current threats and threats of the future,” said Thomas Homberg, Managing Director of MBDA Deutschland.

The open architecture network is the most revolutionary capability Germany identified for future defenses. MEADS units can seamlessly form regional or NATO combat architectures as required. The technology allows allied nations to contribute assets to create a regional air and missile defense network with a common integrated air picture and optimization of threat engagements. In announcing the MEADS selection, the Defense Minister stressed that compatibility with partners, interoperability, and open system architecture were the important principles guiding the German decision.

“Germany‘s selection of the MEADS architecture and capabilities for TLVS represents a significant step forward in air and missile defense,” said Lockheed Martin Program Director Dave Berganini. “Because MEADS can use data from non-system sensors and can control other defined air defense missiles, neighboring countries can integrate national assets to form a regional air and missile defense. No other system has this capability.”

Compatibility with partners, interoperability, and open system architecture were principles that favored MEADS as the foundation for TLVS.

MEADS capabilities were proven repeatedly during design and development. In late 2013, MEADS intercepted and destroyed simultaneous targets attacking from opposite directions in a stressing demonstration of 360-degree air and missile defense capabilities. All elements of the MEADS system were tested, including the 360-degree Surveillance Radar, a networked battle manager, two lightweight launchers firing PAC-3 MSE Missiles, and a 360-degree Multifunction Fire Control Radar. No other ground-mobile AMD system has demonstrated 360-degree dual-intercept capability. All mission objectives were successfully accomplished in three historic flight tests at White Sands Missile Range, including over-the-shoulder maneuverability of the PAC-3 MSE to engage targets.

In July 2014, MEADS completed a comprehensive system demonstration at Pratica di Mare Air Base near Rome, Italy. The two-week test, including operational demonstrations run by German and Italian military personnel, verified interoperability of the MEADS system with German and Italian air defense assets using standardized NATO messages. Key Italian air-defense assets (SAMP/T and PAAMS) were integrated into a test bed at an Italian national facility, while the Surface to Air Missile Operations Centre (SAMOC) and Patriot assets were integrated into a test bed at the German Air Force Air Defense Center at Fort Bliss, Texas. MEADS demonstrated capability to coordinate engagements with other systems, which no fielded system is able to do.

Operation and support costs savings were design requirements from the outset. MEADS savings result from use of fewer vehicles, greater reliability, and fewer personnel. In an analysis for TLVS, the total life cost for the system was said to be significantly less using MEADS as the basis for the new system. In partnership with MBDA Germany and MBDA Italy, Lockheed Martin developed MEADS in a tri-national program managed by a NATO agency and continues its close partnership in support of the TLVS program. Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile. It is the only company with systems that address the ascent, midcourse, and terminal phases in support of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency‘s layered Ballistic Missile Defense System.

MBDA Germany is part of the European MBDA Group and the leading guided missile and air defense systems company in Germany. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems.