MEADS To Fulfill European Next-Gen Air And Missile Defense Requirements

The tri-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) program is selected as a candidate for next-generation air and missile defense requirements in Germany and Poland.

MEADS is a primary candidate for the German Taktisches Luftverteidigungssystem (TLVS), a new generation of air and missile defense that requires a flexible architecture based on strong networking capabilities.

MEADS is also expected to become the basis of a national defense system in Italy. Formal decisions are expected from Germany and Italy early this year, and a follow-on plan is being developed for transition.

MEADS International will participate in technical discussions for the Narew short-range air defense system of Poland.

The Narew system will be capable of destroying aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles.

"We have built and tested a new generation of networked air and missile defense radars, launchers and battle managers," said MEADS International executive vice president Volker Weidemann.

"MEADS is now ready for continuation programs in Germany and Italy, and for Poland's Narew program" Weidemann added.

The US Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Command has also held a separate review to respond to interest within the Department of Defense in leveraging MEADS technology.

MEADS represents a $4 billion effort to develop, implement and prove next-generation air and missile defense system technology.

"The nations recognize the need for a more versatile capability in air and missile defense," said NAMEADSMA general manager Gregory Kee.