Lockheed Martin Will Develop Radars For International Air Defense System
SYRACUSE, NY, August 1st, 2001 -- combined value of more than $45 million to develop radar systems to support the Risk Reduction Effort (RRE) for the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), an international air defense program. The MEADS RRE phase is a 32-1/2 month collaboration with Alenia Marconi Systems (AMS) in Italy, European Aeronautic Defence and Space (EADS) and LFK in Germany, and Lockheed Martin in the United States, working as MEADS International. MEADS is a model for collaborative transatlantic efforts and is planned to provide capabilities unlike any other fielded or planned air and missile defense system.
Lockheed Martin Naval Electronics & Surveillance Systems - Radar Systems is responsible for the design concept for the new surveillance radar that will be used for MEADS. It also is teamed with AMS and EADS to design and produce a functional prototype of the new multifunction fire-control radar (MFCR). The MEADS radar concepts will use a common design for the digital receiver and signal/data processor, allowing for validation of both radar designs using a single prototype.
When completed, MEADS will be the only air defense system able to roll off transports with the troops and immediately begin operations with a "plug-and-fight" capability. The system will combine superior battlefield protection with unprecedented flexibility, allowing it to protect maneuver forces and to provide homeland defense against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft. MEADS incorporates advanced ground-based radars to provide 360-degree defense capability against all airborne threats, far exceeding the capability of the currently fielded Patriot radars. MEADS also provides greater firepower with less manpower than current systems, dramatically decreasing operations and support costs.
"These contract awards are a major milestone for NE&SS-Radar Systems," observed Richard Schubert, vice president, radar/sensor systems. "They affirm our position as the world's leader for long-range surveillance radars and even more important, as an emerging leader in the design and development of ground-based X-band radars for missile defense around the world."
Under the RRE program, MEADS International will assess critical technology areas taking into account evolving national air defense concepts. In addition, the RRE program will generate detailed specifications, statements of work, schedules and cost to prepare for the decision by the participating nations for a follow-on Design and Development Phase.
A leader in the design, development and integration of radar systems, vessel traffic management, simulation and training systems, and other complex electronic systems, NE&SS-Radar Systems serves customers including all branches of the U.S. armed forces, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Transportation and State, and defense and transportation departments of countries on six continents. NE&SS-Radar Systems employs more than 2,000 people at its Syracuse, N.Y., headquarters and is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation.
Ellen Mitchell
315-456-3296
ellen.mitchell@lmco.com
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