Ramon Lopez/WASHINGTON DC
A Lockheed Martin-led team has won a $300 million contract to start developing the Medium Extended Air Defence System (MEADS), a joint programme between Germany, Italy and the USA to field a highly mobile, medium-range battlefield air- defence system.
The future of the $12 billion MEADS project was in doubt only a few months ago after the US Department of Defense restructured the requirement as part of a revamp of its ballistic missile defence programmes. MEADS funding was slashed and the initial fielding date slipped beyond 2007. The USA also said that the hit-to-kill Lockheed Martin Vought Systems Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) air defence missile should be used for the MEADS.
Protracted negotiations among the three parties allowed the programme to move forward, with Italy and Germany accepting the PAC-3 instead of a new interceptor for the MEADS.
Lockheed Martin was chosen over Raytheon as the US team member for a three-year risk reduction phase of research and development. Italy's Alenia and Germany's DaimlerChrysler Aerospace were members of both US contractor's MEADS teams. In October 1996, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon were each awarded $80 million 27-month programme definition and validation contracts.
"The requirement that fostered MEADS-remains valid and more urgent each day," says Werner Huss, president of joint venture company MEADS International. Lockheed Martin called the contract "a huge win that represents the future of air and missile defence". As part of the contract, MEADS International will demonstrate a prototype system in 2002.
The MEADS will give forces in the field 360º protection against theatre ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and manned and unmanned aircraft. Mounted on a wheeled vehicle, it would employ an advanced fire control radar and multi-canister vertical launcher to release its interceptors.
Source: Flight International
