MEADS Completes CDR And Is Ready For Flight Test

[LETHALFORCE]

MEADS Completes CDR And Is Ready For Flight Test

The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program has completed an extensive series of Critical Design Review (CDR) events with a Summary CDR at MEADS International in Orlando, FL. The program team's focus now moves to final build, integration and test activities leading to flight tests involving all system elements at White Sands Missile Range, NM, in 2012.
In total, the MEADS program has presented and successfully demonstrated more than 1,000 design evaluation criteria in a rigorous series of incremental review events that began more than two years ago. Reviewers from Germany, Italy, the United States and the NATO MEADS Management Agency (NAMEADSMA) progressively evaluated the MEADS design criteria in a series of 47 multi-day reviews.

With completion of MEADS end item reviews in August 2009, a system-level review sequence of 16 events examined architecture, survivability, logistics, security, test and evaluation, performance and cost.

"No modern air and missile defense design has been as thoroughly evaluated as MEADS, but this comprehensive multinational examination ensures that MEADS will reliably protect German, Italian and American soldiers and airmen from tactical missile and airborne threats far into the future," said MEADS International Executive Vice President Klaus Riedel.

Under development by Germany, Italy and the United States, MEADS is a ground mobile air and missile defense (AMD) system that will replace Patriot in the United States and Nike Hercules in Italy.

It will replace Patriot and the retired Hawk system in Germany. The system is designed to permit full interoperability between the U.S. and allied forces, and it is the only medium-range AMD system to provide full 360-degree coverage.

MEADS has been shown to defend up to eight times the area with a fraction of the system elements used by fielded systems. MEADS also deploys more quickly and repositions easily with ability for fire units to be tailored for individual mission requirements.

Substantial cost savings result because MEADS has been designed for higher reliability and will reduce both the number of deployed personnel and the demand for airlift.

"There's a clear advantage over the older system designs that MEADS will replace," said MEADS International President Steve Barnoske. "Not only does MEADS get to the theater more quickly and keep up with maneuver forces, it requires fewer vehicles and personnel yet increases protection against 21st century threats."

NAMEADSMA General Manager Gregory Kee said, "MEADS is timely and needed in today's threat environment. No other air and missile defense system is as flexible, agile or lethal against the evolving threats that our adversaries are developing."

Hardware design for each MEADS Major End Item (MEI) was approved through the MEI-level reviews in August 2009, clearing the program to fabricate end items. System elements are now undergoing integration and test in System Integration Laboratories in the U.S. and Europe, and are on track to begin flight tests at White Sands Missile Range in 2012.

MEADS will meet challenging new requirements not addressed by any previous or planned Air and Missile Defense system. The system will combine superior battlefield protection with extensive flexibility, allowing it to protect maneuver forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft.

It also provides an open architecture for 21st century air and missile defense system-of-system integration capabilities that allow operational mission-tailoring. MEADS is designed to provide greater firepower with less manpower than current systems, producing dramatic operation and support cost savings.

A multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, FL, MEADS International's participating companies are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States. Today, 1,800 employees from these companies are developing MEADS, which is closely watched as a model program for collaborative transatlantic development.

The United States funds 58 percent of the MEADS program, and European partners Germany and Italy provide 25 percent and 17 percent respectively as partners in the NATO Medium Extended Air Defense System Management Organization (NAMEADSMO). Its program management agency NAMEADSMA is located in Huntsville, AL.

 

[Patriot]

MEADS Life Cycle Costs Significantly Lower Than Fielded Systems

by Staff Writers
Orlando FL (SPX) Sep 28, 2010
The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program has presented a required life cycle cost estimate to the three partner nations that proves the MEADS system design will significantly reduce the cost of ownership compared to air and missile defense systems that are currently fielded.

MEADS will especially reduce operation and support (O and S) costs. Ordinarily, over two-thirds of the total cost of ownership is spent in this area, but MEADS O and S costs are about half. Savings result from features of the MEADS design that include high reliability, automated fault detection, prognostics, two-level maintenance and a reduction in the number of system elements.

Additionally, MEADS was shown to defend up to eight times the coverage area with far fewer system assets. This allows for a substantial reduction in deployed personnel and equipment, and demand on airlift. Once in theater, MEADS elements emplace more quickly and can be repositioned dynamically.

"There's a clear advantage over the older system designs that MEADS will replace," said MEADS International President Steve Barnoske. "Not only does MEADS get to the theater quicker and keep up with maneuver forces, it doesn't require nearly as many vehicles or personnel to provide better protection against 21st century threats."

NAMEADSMA General Manager Gregory Kee said, "The combination of advanced 360-degree sensors, near-vertical launch capability and the improved PAC-3 MSE Missile gives MEADS a far greater defended area. MEADS active phased array, digital beamforming radars make full use of the extended range of the PAC-3 MSE Missile. MEADS is timely and needed in today's threat environment."

Under development by Germany, Italy and the United States, MEADS is a mobile system that will replace Patriot in the United States and Nike
Hercules in Italy.

All hardware for each MEADS Major End Item has been approved, and integration and test has begun in support of flight tests starting in 2012.

Under development by Germany, Italy and the United States, MEADS is a mobile system that will replace Patriot in the United States and Nike Hercules in Italy.

It will replace Patriot and the retired Hawk system in Germany. The system is designed to permit full interoperability between the U.S. and allied armies, and it is the only medium-range air defense system to provide full 360-degree coverage.

MEADS will meet challenging new requirements not addressed by any previous or planned Air and Missile Defense system. The system will combine superior battlefield protection with extensive flexibility, allowing it to protect maneuver forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft.

It also provides an open architecture for 21st century air and missile defense system-of-system integration capabilities that allow operational mission-tailoring. MEADS is designed to provide greater firepower with less manpower than current systems, producing dramatic operation and support cost savings.

A multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, FL, MEADS International's participating companies are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States. Today, 1,800 employees from these companies are developing MEADS, which is closely watched as a model program for collaborative transatlantic development.

The United States funds 58 percent of the MEADS program, and European partners Germany and Italy provide 25 percent and 17 percent respectively as partners in the NATO Medium Extended Air Defense System Management Organization (NAMEADSMO). Its program management agency NAMEADSMA is located in Huntsville, AL.

 

[Patriot]

MEADS Demonstrates Interoperability With NATO

by Staff Writers
Orlando FL (SPX) Sep 29, 2010
The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) battle management capability successfully demonstrated interoperability with the NATO Air Command and Control System (ACCS) during a Joint Project Optic Windmill (JPOW) test in July. The interface test was conducted using the Active Layer Theatre Ballistic Missile Defense (ALTBMD) Integration Test Bed being developed by NATO.

The test proved a key interoperability milestone for the MEADS, ALTBMD and ACCS programs, and is an early maturity demonstration for the MEADS battle management and command, control, computers, communication and intelligence (BMC4I) capability. MEADS is designed to interoperate with a wide range of platforms and command and control structures.

NATO's ALTBMD program is tasked with designing a theater missile defense architecture that will include MEADS as a key component. The NATO Air Command and Control System is the overarching tactical command and control element for NATO theater missile defense.

Through interoperability features designed into the system, MEADS will dramatically improve combat effectiveness and situational awareness, reducing the potential for fratricide. The result is air and missile defense designed for coalition warfare. MEADS units from the U.S., Germany or Italy will seamlessly integrate into each nation's, or NATO's, combat architecture as required.

The integration event took place during the experiment phase of the NATO JPOW exercise, during which the MEADS battle management capability shared simulation and military communications data, including track reports for different tactical ballistic missile threats. The test represents the first time that the MEADS program has been authorized to exchange data outside of its three partner nations.

MEADS International President Steve Barnoske noted, "Joint Project Optic Wind was an early opportunity to prove out the interoperability of the MEADS battle management architecture and its ability to serve as the integrating element for an air and missile defense task force. Open, modular software gives MEADS great flexibility to accommodate additional requirements."

NATO MEADS Management Agency General Manager Gregory Kee said, "The opportunity to work closely with the NATO ALTBMD office has allowed us to demonstrate this key interoperability milestone much sooner than previously planned. The combination of the ALTBMD architecture and the MEADS capability represents the highly effective air and missile defense system NATO has envisioned."

The integration event took place during the experiment phase of the NATO JPOW exercise, during which the MEADS battle management capability shared simulation and military communications data, including track reports for different tactical ballistic missile threats. The test represents the first time that the MEADS program has been authorized to exchange data outside of its three partner nations.

The JPOW tests exercise theater air and missile defense elements to develop and explore interoperability. They provide an opportunity to demonstrate new concepts, doctrine, tactics, technology and techniques.

Hardware designs for each MEADS Major End Item (MEI) were approved through the MEI level reviews in August 2009, clearing the program to fabricate end items. MEADS system elements are continuing integration and testing at system integration laboratories in the U.S. and Europe, and are on track for flight tests at White Sands Missile Range, NM, starting in 2012.

Under development by Germany, Italy and the United States, MEADS is a mobile system that will replace Patriot in the United States and Nike Hercules in Italy. It will also replace Patriot and the already retired Hawk system in Germany. The system is designed to permit full interoperability between the U.S. and allied forces, and it is the only medium-range air defense system to provide full 360-degree coverage.

MEADS will meet challenging new requirements not addressed by any previous or planned Air and Missile Defense system. The system will combine superior battlefield protection with extensive flexibility, allowing it to protect maneuver forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft.

It also provides an open architecture for 21st century air and missile defense system-of-system integration capabilities that allow operational mission-tailoring. MEADS is designed to provide greater firepower with less manpower than current systems, producing dramatic operation and support cost savings.

A multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, FL, MEADS International's participating companies are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States. Today, 1,800 employees from these companies are developing MEADS, which is closely watched as a model program for collaborative transatlantic development.

 

[Patriot]

First MEADS Battle Manager Ready For System Tests

The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program has displayed the first MEADS Battle Manager during ceremonies at MBDA Italia facilities in Fusaro, Italy.

The Battle Manager, configured on an ARIS Italian Prime Mover, will shortly be joined by other MEADS major end items at Pratica di Mare Air Force Base in Italy as part of system integration activities leading to flight tests at White Sands Missile Range, NM, in 2012.

The highly mobile MEADS system will replace Hawk and Patriot. A MEADS International photo

Five more Battle Managers are being assembled to support integration, test and qualification activities for the flight test series.

Using standardized interfaces and a revolutionary network-centric open architecture, the MEADS Battle Manager can command and control both MEADS and non-MEADS sensors and launchers. Through a capability called "plug-and-fight," sensors, launchers, and other battle managers simply act as nodes on the MEADS network.

A commander can dynamically add or subtract these elements as the situation dictates without shutting the system down. This unprecedented flexibility is a first for ground-based air and missile defense systems.

MEADS International Technical Director Claudio Ponzi said, "We're very proud of our battle manager team for achieving this significant milestone, which realizes the visionary requirements given to the MEADS program. The MEADS architecture and Battle Manager provide capability to integrate unlimited combinations of sensors and weapons into a single network."

With MEADS, a commander can dynamically extract MEADS elements to protect a fast-moving maneuver force. The Minimum Engagement Capability requires only one launcher, one battle manager, and one fire control radar. When more MEADS elements arrive, they automatically and seamlessly join the network and build out capability.

NAMEADSMA General Manager Gregory Kee said, "The MEADS Battle Manager will provide commanders with increased situational awareness, but more importantly, increased flexibility to tailor battle elements dynamically based on the battlefield situation. Additionally, MEADS will be interoperable with a wide range of legacy systems as well as current and future command and control systems, like NATO's Air Command and Control System."

MEADS was shown to defend up to 8 times the coverage area with far fewer system assets. This allows for a substantial reduction in deployed personnel and equipment, and demand on airlift.

In August, the MEADS program completed an extensive series of Critical Design Review events with a Summary Critical Design Review at MEADS International in Orlando, FL. The program is now focused on final build, integration and test activities leading to flight tests involving all system elements at White Sands Missile Range in 2012.

Under development by Germany, Italy and the United States, MEADS is a mobile system that will replace Patriot in the United States and Nike Hercules in Italy.

It will replace Patriot and the retired Hawk system in Germany. The system is designed to permit full interoperability between the U.S. and allied forces, and it is the only medium-range air defense system to provide full 360-degree coverage.

MEADS will meet challenging new requirements not addressed by any previous or planned Air and Missile Defense system. The system will combine superior battlefield protection with extensive flexibility, allowing it to protect maneuver forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft.

It also provides an open architecture for 21st century air and missile defense system-of-system integration
capabilities that allow operational mission-tailoring. MEADS is designed to provide greater firepower with less manpower than current systems, producing dramatic operation and support cost savings.







http://www.brahmand.com/news/First-MEADS-Battle-Manager-ready-for-system-tests/5864/1/14.html
http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/First_MEADS_Battle_Manager_Ready_For_System_Tests_999.html

 

[Armand2REP]

THE DEATH OF MEADS


U.S. Will Not Field MEADS

The United States can no longer afford to purchase and field the trinational Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), according to the Pentagon.

http://www.defensenews.com/story.php?i=5705452&c=air; budget&s=TOP

Germany refused to develop missile system MEADS

Following the U.S., Germany has decided to withdraw from the program to develop a new set of NATO air and missile defense MEADS, which was supposed to replace the standing armed with the Bundeswehr SAM "Patriot", said Tagesschau.

http://vpk.name/news/49739_germaniya_otkazalas_ot_razrabotki_raketnogo_kompleksa_meads.html

 

[Patriot]

MEADS System Integration Begins at Italian Test Site

A Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) launcher and BMC4I Tactical Operations Center (TOC) have entered system test and integration at Pratica di Mare (PdM) Air Force Base in Italy. This milestone marks the first integration tests involving two completed MEADS system elements.

During the initial test series, MEADS will demonstrate launcher and TOC functions, including system attachment/detachment in the first demonstration of MEADS plug-and-fight operation. Later addition of the Multifunction Fire Control Radar (MFCR) and a MEADS System Stimulator will enable demonstration of full MEADS system operation during simulated engagements of live target aircraft.

After pre-integration at Pratica di Mare, the MEADS system will complete integration at White Sands Missile Range, NM, and begin flight testing in 2012.

The lightweight MEADS launcher is easily transportable, is tactically mobile, and capable of rapid reload. It carries up to eight PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) Missiles and achieves launch readiness in minimum time. Through improvements in range, interoperability, mobility, and full 360-degree defense capability against the evolving threat, MEADS improves capability to defend troops, friends, and allies in critical areas around the globe.

The Battle Management Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (BMC4I) TOC implements a revolutionary network-centric open architecture that allows any combination of sensors and launchers to be task organized into a single Air and Missile Defense battle element. Through a capability called "plug-and-fight," sensors, shooters or other TOCs simply act as nodes on the network. From the MEADS Battle Manager, a commander can dynamically add or subtract elements as the situation dictates without shutting the system down.

MEADS International President Dave Berganini said, "The MEADS team is pleased to be at Pratica di Mare Air Force Base, operating in a new dedicated MEADS test area, and demonstrating the operational capabilities MEADS provides against next-generation threats. The new test area provides ideal conditions to complete integration testing before the first MEADS system moves to the White Sands Missile Range later this year."

NAMEADSMA General Manager Gregory Kee said, "MEADS will provide superior capabilities with unprecedented flexibility compared to current systems. Its 360-degree rotating capability will bring advanced capability to the warfighter – both in situational awareness and in being able to address threats from any direction. It provides dramatically increased capabilities over what's available today."

MEADS has been shown to defend up to eight times the coverage area with far fewer system assets. This allows for a substantial reduction in deployed personnel and equipment, with less demand for airlift.

Under development by Germany, Italy and the United States, MEADS is a mobile system that was designed to replace Patriot in the United States, Nike Hercules in Italy and the retired Hawk system in Germany. The system was designed to permit full interoperability between the U.S. and allied forces, and it is the only medium-range air defense system to provide full 360-degree coverage.

MEADS was designed to meet the challenging new requirements not addressed by any previous or planned Air and Missile Defense system. The system will combine superior battlefield protection with extensive flexibility, allowing it to protect maneuver forces and critical assets against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft. It also provides an open architecture for 21st century air and missile defense system-of-system integration capabilities that allow operational mission-tailoring. MEADS is designed to provide greater firepower with less manpower than current systems, producing dramatic operation and support cost savings.

MEADS International, a multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, FL, is the prime contractor for MEADS. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin in the United States. Today, 1800 employees from these companies are completing development of MEADS, which is closely watched as a model program for collaborative transatlantic development.

The United States has funded 58 percent of the MEADS program, and European partners Germany and Italy provided 25 percent and 17 percent respectively as partners in the NATO Medium Extended Air Defense System Management Organization (NAMEADSMO). Its program management agency NAMEADSMA is located in Huntsville, AL.

Read more: http://www.defencetalk.com/meads-system-integration-begins-at-italian-test-site-32945/#ixzz1HJIt8CgS

 

[cobra commando]

Germany Could Spend €3 Billion To Get MEADS Going | Defense News | defensenews.com