The Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), a tri-national effort by the United States, Germany and Italy, has successfully completed certification testing for its advanced Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system at Pratica di Mare AGB, Italy.
“MEADS is designed to maximize the system’s ability to identify friendly aircraft,” said MEADS International Technical Director Marco Riccetti. “The MEADS IFF subsystem was selected for both radars in order to provide a robust IFF system. They provide the highest level of fratricide prevention available to protect allied pilots.”
All IFF scenarios were tested in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force Traffic Control Radar Beacon System Identification Friend or Foe Mark XII/XIIA System (AUIMS) Program Office.
The MEADS IFF system completed 160 tests during certification testing.
Additional tests were also conducted with the Italian National Security Agency after the IFF was integrated into a MEADS Multifunction Fire Control Radar.
The IFF system is incorporated into both MEADS 360-degree radar configurations and uses a cryptographic computer developed by Italy’s SELEX Sistemi Integrati. MEADS became the first non-U.S. cryptographic system cleared for U.S. use.
The MEADS system is preparing for its first flight intercept test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
“For the upcoming test, we’re seeing progress on the radar front,” Marty Coyne MEADS International director of business development, said. “For example, the MEADS surveillance radar has successfully handed targets over to the multifunction fire control radar in initial tests. Our test team at White Sands Missile Range is now working with the German air force to track target aircraft with the MFCR. It’s an exciting time for the MEADS program.”
The intercept flight test would be the culmination of the system design and development (SDD) phase of the program. None of the three nations plan to procure systems at this point, but each wants to harvest what has been developed.
The MEADS system offers coverage and flexibility that other systems cannot provide including complete 360-degree defense that protects military sites and civilians against next-generation threats, said Gregory Kee, NATO MEADS Management Agency general manager. “Its advanced solid state architecture is more reliable than fielded systems, yet with the same number of batteries MEADS can provide eight times the coverage. Reductions in personnel and maintenance can save billions of dollars in operating costs.”
MEADS International is the prime contractor for the MEADS system, with joint venture partners MBDA in Italy and Germany and Lockheed Martin [LMT] in the United States.