Jun 2014. MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defence System) is a next-generation, ground-mobile air and missile defence system that incorporates the hit-to-kill PAC-3 MSE Missile, 360-degree radars, netted and distributed battle management and high-firepower launchers. The system combines superior battlefield protection with new flexibility to protect forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial systems and aircraft. MEADS, a programme being carried out in joint cooperation between the United States, Germany and Italy, is designed to meet challenging new requirements not addressed by any single previous system. After completing the risk reduction effort phase with a successful system demonstration in 2004, the three participating nations awarded in 2005 to MEADS International Inc., a joint venture between euroMEADS (MBDA Deutschland - and MBDA IT) and Lockheed Martin, the contract for the System Design and Development (MEADS D&D Contract). MEADS will be the only Air and Missile Defence System able to roll off tactical transports with the troops and begin operations almost immediately. More importantly, its open architecture will provide for 21st century Air and Missile Defence system-of-system integration capabilities that allow operational mission-tailoring for homeland defence or defence of manoeuvre forces in various theatres countering air-breathing and tactical missile threats. Plug-and-Fight capability lets MEADS elements attach to and detach from the network at will, with no requirement to shut the system down. MEADS improves capability to defend troops and critical assets through improvements in range, interoperability, mobility and full 360-degree defence capability against the evolving threat. MEADS defends up to eight times the coverage area with far fewer system assets and significantly reduces demand for deployed personnel and equipment, which reduces demand for airlift. MEADS is intended to provide significant operation and support cost savings. Programme Status The system-level Critical Design Reviews (CDR) were passed and completed at the end of August 2010. The first launcher and the first BMC4I Tactical Operations Centre (TOC) were handed over to MEADS International at the end of 2010. In November 2011, MEADS performed a simulated intercept of an air-breathing target. In November 2012, MEADS acquired, tracked and destroyed an MQM-107 target. Both tests demonstrated full-perimeter, 360-degree defense with the PAC-3 MSE Missile performing unique over-the-shoulder maneuvers to defeat targets attacking from behind the MEADS emplacement. In November 2013, MEADS intercepted and destroyed two simultaneous targets attacking from opposite directions during a stressing demonstration of its 360-degree Air and Missile Defense (AMD) capabilities at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. The flight test achieved all criteria for success. All elements of the MEADS system were tested, including the 360-degree MEADS Surveillance Radar, a networked MEADS battle manager, two lightweight launchers firing PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) Missiles and a 360-degree MEADS Multifunction Fire Control Radar (MFCR). All system elements worked as planned. The MEADS IFF subsystem received its full certificate for operation by the US DoD in May 2014. Fan Funding : PayPal : arronlee33@hotmail.com. Thanks a lot for your support! :-)
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