The future of the multi-national Medium Extended Air Defence System (MEADS) surface-to-air missile (SAM) programme is being threatened by funding pressures on both sides of the Atlantic, according to a senior US politician.
The USA is working with Germany and Italy on the MEADS programme, intended to replace the Raytheon Hawk SAM system, but cash concerns are placing question marks against the project.
Mitchel Kugler, staff director of the US Senate's international security subcommittee, says that US participation will be in doubt"-if the definition of co-operation is the USA paying for 50% from start to finish".
Two international consortia, led by Lockheed Martin and Raytheon, are working on 27- month definition and validation studies. If the project is to go beyond these, however, then further international support for the MEADS is likely to be needed.
France was initially a member of the project, but pulled out over funding issues, while the UK is viewed as a potential partner.
Source: Flight International