The German Federal Ministry of Defense (BMVg) has chosen the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) as the basis for Taktisches Luf...
The MEADS-based TLVS can be used for both national and alliance defense and to protect deployed troops during operations. Special features of the system include 360-degree coverage, open system architecture and "plug & fight” capability, which allows for the coupling of additional sensors and weapon systems, as well as rapid deployability.
MEADS has been developed through MEADS International, a tri-national cooperative venture involving MBDA in Italy and Germany, and Lockheed Martin in the United States, intended to replace German and United States Patriot system and Italian Nike Hercules system.
MEADS combines the advanced hit-to-kill PAC-3 MSE missile used in patriot air defense system, surveillance and fire control sensors, battle management/communication centers, and high-firepower launchers.
MEADS can destroys medium-range ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, and aircraft as well as weapons of mass destruction.
Unlike Patriot, MEADS launchers are lighter and more mobile, reload more quickly, and have inherent 360-degree launch capabilities.
In 2013, at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, MEADS became the first air and missile defense system to demonstrate a dual intercept of targets attacking simultaneously from opposite directions.
In July 2014, MEADS completed a comprehensive system demonstration at Pratica di Mare Air Base in Italy. The tests, including operational demonstrations run by German and Italian military personnel, were designed to seamlessly add and subtract system elements under representative combat conditions, and to blend MEADS with other systems in a larger system architecture.
In Poland, MEADS is a candidate for the Narew short-range air defense system.
