Next generation of Lockheed Martin MEADS Medium Extented Air Defense System at MSPO 2014 030914

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Official Online Show Daily News
MSPO 2014
International Defence Industry Exhibition
1 - 4 September 2014
Kielce, Poland
 
MEADS at MSPO 2014
 
 
Wednesday, August 3, 2014 10:04 PM
 
Next generation of Lockheed Martin MEADS Medium Extented Air Defense System at MSPO 2014.
At MSPO 2014, the International Defense Industry Equipment Exhibition in Poland, Lockheed Martin displays the next-generation of its Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). Displayed system elements include an example of each national configuration. Each has been used in recent flight tests and demonstrations that (testify to) the system’s maturity.
     

     

The mobile MEADS system has been developed to destroy all incoming tactical or medium-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, weapons of mass destruction, aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles. Compared to existing systems, it provides vastly greater firepower, combat-proven hit-to-kill technology, 360-degree radar coverage and a plug-and-fight battle management network architecture.

Under development by Germany, Italy, and the United States, MEADS is a ground-mobile air and missile defense system intended to replace Patriot systems in Germany, and Nike Hercules systems in Italy.

Its open architecture provides system-of-system integration capabilities that allow operational mission-tailoring for homeland defense or defense of maneuver forces. MEADS also provides greater firepower with less manpower than current systems, producing significant operation and support cost savings.

MEADS International, a multinational joint venture headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is the prime contractor for the MEADS system. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy and Germany, and Lockheed Martin in the United States.

In September 2013, MEADS received certification for its Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system. Mode 5 is more secure and provides positive line-of-sight identification of friendly platforms equipped with an IFF transponder to better protect allied forces.

In July 201, the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) completed a comprehensive system demonstration at Pratica di Mare Air Base near Rome, Italy. The two-week test demonstration included significant first-time events that were observed by several national delegations.

“The outstanding result is that we have demonstrated the full range of advanced network capabilities that only MEADS can provide,” said MEADS International Executive Vice President Volker Weidemann. “These ground-breaking capabilities are ready to be carried forward to meet national needs.”
     

MEADS 360-degree active electronically steered array (AESA) surveillance radar at MSPO 2014 in Kielce, Poland.
     
The networked MEADS Surveillance Radar is a 360-degree active electronically steered array (AESA) radar that provides extended range coverage. It provides threat detection capability against highly maneuverable low-signature threats, including short- and medium-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and other air-breathing threats.

The radar incorporates a Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe subsystem that is fully certification for operation by the US government. The system is designed to ensure maximum safety for allied aircrews engaged in combat operations.
     

MEADS Battle Manager
     
The MEADS Battle Manager controls an advanced network-centric open architecture that allows any combination of sensors and launchers to be organized into a single air and missile defense battle element. Through plug-and-fight capability, radars, launchers or other battle managers act as nodes on the network. From the MEADS battle manager, a commander can add or subtract radars and launchers without shutting down the system.
     

MEADS Launcher vehicle
     
The 360-degree MEADS Launcher offers unique capabilities. It can self-load using an integrated crane arm that picks up and releases expended missile packs, then grabs and positions a full eight-missile reload within minutes. It also launches the PAC-3 MSE in a near-vertical position to defend assets in all directions.