The Board of Directors of MEADS International (MI) recently named David Berganini as the new president.
MEADS International is the transatlantic joint venture undertaken by the United States, Germany and Italy in developing the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), a next- generation, ground-mobile air and missile defense system that will replace Patriot in the United States, Patriot and the retired Hawk system in Germany, and Nike Hercules in Italy.
MI is the prime contractor for the $4.2 billion MEADS development program. Major subcontractors and joint venture partners are MBDA in Italy, LFK in Germany and Lockheed Martin [LMT] in the United States.
Berganini has 23 years of systems engineering and program management experience, and was named chief engineer for MI in 2007. He also led the industry team working with the NATO MEADS Management Agency (NAMEADSMA) to implement a low-risk optimized program for integration and test of the advanced air and missile defense system. Previously, he was director of Systems Engineering at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, responsible for technical and personnel leadership and oversight of the Systems Engineering Department.
He succeeds Steve Barnoske, who led MI through successful completion of the CDR phase of the MEADS program. Barnoske moves into a new leadership position in the Tactical Missiles line of business at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
The MI Board of Directors also named Volker Weidemann as executive vice president and chief operating officer, upon the retirement of Klaus Riedel in January.
Weidemann has served MI for the past five years as director of System Engineering, Integration, and Test (SEIT) and was responsible for coordinating tri-national design efforts at six development locations. He was responsible for development and implementation of design requirements for the MEADS system and its six major end items. During his tenure, he led the technical team through the transition from design, including a successful Preliminary Design Review and Critical Design Review, to initial build and test efforts. A retired German air force officer, he has more than 20 years of engineering management and air defense experience. He previously served as SEIT Deputy Director and has been associated with the MEADS program for over 12 years.
Weidemann’s responsibilities pass to Norbert Wuhrer, who has led the Launcher and Reloader integrated product team at LFK in Germany for the past three years. He has over 20 years of systems engineering expertise in air and missile defense technology, and has served as project manager for several Patriot efforts, including PAC-3 Missile integration and the German live firings at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
Chairman of the MEADS International Board of Directors Walter Stammler said, “The board appreciates the leadership that Steve and Klaus have brought to the successful MEADS design effort and development of our first major end items. We now look to Dave and Volker to ensure successful flight tests and completion of the Design and Development contract. MEADS International is proud that we will soon be delivering the mobile, interoperable, and affordable air and missile defense system jointly envisioned by Germany, Italy and the United States.”