The medium extended air defense system (MEADS) has emerged as a contender for the next-generation air and missile defence programme in three European countries.
The tri-national system is believed to be a primary candidate for Germany’s new air and missile defence system Taktisches Luftverteidigungssystem (TLVS), which requires a flexible architecture based on strong networking capabilities.
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MEADS International is the prime contractor for MEADS.
MEADS International is a multi-national joint venture headquartered in Orlando, Florida, US, and consists of subcontractors and partners MBDA in Italy and Germany, as well as US-based Lockheed Martin.
The air defence system is also expected to become the basis of a national defence system in Italy, while the Polish Armament Inspectorate announced last month that MEADS International will participate in technical discussions for the Narew short-range air defence system.
The Narew system is anticipated to be capable of destroying aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles.
MEADS International executive vice-president Volker Weidemann said: "We have built and tested a new generation of networked air and missile defence radars, launchers and battle managers."
Nato Medium Extended Air Defense System general manager Gregory Kee said: "The nations recognise the need for a more versatile capability in air and missile defence.
"MEADS is designed to be flexible, agile and lethal against the evolving threats our adversaries are developing."
Last month, the system completed a formal contract review with evaluators from Germany, Italy and the US.
Formal decisions on the MEADS selection are expected to be announced by Germany and Italy early this year, and a follow-on plan is being developed for the transition.
In addition, the US Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Command also held a separate review in response to interest in the Department of Defense in leveraging MEADS technology.
MEADS is a 360° ground-mobile air and missile defence system, developed to defend soldiers and critical assets against threats such as tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles.
