Phased array radar systems in support of the medium extended air defense system (MEADS)

MEADS, the medium extended air defense system program, is a tri-national program to fulfill the current and future air defense needs of German, Italian, and U.S. forces. As indicated in Figure 1, the program is developing a next-generation lower-tier air- and missile-defense system, to be effective against the anticipated future threat spectrum. It will be highly mobile, strategically and tactically transportable, and will offer a reduced cost of ownership compared to current systems, such as Hawk and Patriot, which MEADS is designed to replace.