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Indústrias de Defesa e Tecnologia Militar => Tecnologia Militar => Tópico iniciado por: JLRC em Abril 25, 2005, 02:01:48 pm
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Transatlantic MEADS Programme Confirmed
(Source: MBDA; dated April 20, 2005)
MBDA’s Italian operating company, MBDA Italia, received a boost today with the confirmation by Germany that it would proceed with funding for the tri-national MEADS (Medium Extended Air Defense System) mobile surface-to-air missile defence programme in which MBDA has a 17 per cent stake.
The German parliament ratified funding for the German share of the $3.4 billion nine-year Design & Development (D&D) contract on 20th April. With Italian and US Government funding already secured for full-scale development of the missile defence system under an MoU signed in September 2004, ratification by Germany now paves the way for the tri-lateral MoU and subsequent full contract award. The total contract, which is expected to be signed later this month by the NATO contracting authority, NAMEADSMA, is split between the three MEADS industrial partners with the industrial and technical contribution by each in line with the financial share in the programme pledged by the three countries – USA 58%, Germany 25% and Italy 17%.
With a stake in the programme valued at Euros 580 million, MBDA Italia employs around 200 in the design and development of three of the MEADS system’s six major equipment items: the Battlefield Management Command, Control, communications, Computers and Intelligence (BMC4I) system, the Multifunction Fire Control Radar (MFCR) and Launcher/Reloader elements. Lockheed Martin and EADS LFK, the other two prime industrial partners on the programme, will also perform work on these and the other MEADS system key components, namely the Surveillance Radar and Certified Missile Round (PAC-3 Missile and canister).
Equipped with a 360 degree surveillance radar, a fire control radar, a state-of-the-art tactical operations centre, "hit-to-kill" missiles (PAC 3) and its network centric hardware and software structure, the MEADS system configuration can be adopted to any specific threat (flexibility/modularity). The system is designed to roll-on/roll-off C130 and A400M transport aircraft and can also integrate other sensors and effectors due to its "plug-and-fight" capability (open, networked system architecture). The trilateral approach ensures interoperability in international alliances.
The three partners are working on the programme through an international joint venture company, MEADS International (MI), headquartered in Orlando, Florida, USA. The programme is expected to significantly expand the technical employment at all locations participating in the development of the system.
“I am delighted that the German Parliament has approved the MEADS Design & Development phase,” said Fabrizio Giulianini, MBDA Italia Managing Director. “With the launch of this phase of the programme, MBDA can further consolidate its role in the surface-to-air missile system field, ” he added.
Marwan Lahoud, MBDA Chief Executive Officer, said: “The MEADS programme marks a critical millestone for MBDA in establishing real transatlantic co-operation in the high tech surface-to-air missile and missile defence system sector”. He added: “The realisation of this programme confirms MBDA as the partner of choice for complex multinational development programmes.”
During the MEADS D & D phase, MI will finalize designs for equipment and complete their integration. Through an extensive series of development and flight tests, the contract leads to initial delivery of MEADS hardware to forces of the three nations between 2012 and 2014. MEADS is designed to replace Patriot systems in the United States and Germany and Nike Hercules systems in Italy.
Notes to editors
With an annual turnover exceeding EUR 3 billion, a forward order book exceeding EUR 13 billion and over 70 customers world wide, MBDA is a world leading, global missile systems company. MBDA currently has 45 missile system and countermeasure programmes in operational service and has proven its ability as prime contractor to head major multi-national projects.
MBDA is jointly owned by BAE Systems (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and Finmeccanica (25%).
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