MEADS Communications

Lockheed Martin recently completed early delivery of intra-fire unit communications kits designed for use with the Medium Extended Air Defense System, according to a company statement issued this afternoon:

This tactical hardware for the MEADS Internal Communications Subsystem (MICS) will support integration, test and qualification of MEADS elements.

MICS provides secure communications between the MEADS sensors, launchers and battle managers across a high-speed internet protocol network. Through a capability called "plug-and-fight," sensors, shooters or other battle managers act as nodes on the network. From the MEADS battle manager, a commander can add or subtract nodes as the situation dictates without shutting down the system. With MICS, these MEADS elements can be positioned for maximum lethality and survivability while maintaining clear, rapid and efficient communication.

"Our technology helps the warfighter maintain situational awareness and combat superiority," said Rich Russell, director of sensors, data links and advanced programs in Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business. "With MICS, ground units can exchange command, control and status data over a secure network."

MICS provides plug-and-fight technology for streamlined data exchange. MICS software minimizes the need for an individual to manage the network because it dynamically reconfigures as weapon system end items enter and exit. It also autonomously routes network traffic past anything that might slow it down or stop it.

Inside the Army reports this week that the service is still internally debating the logic to transfer to the Missile Defense Agency some aspects of the Army's missile defense programs, including aspects of the Patriot system.

Lt. Gen. Robert Lennox, Army programs deputy chief of staff, said at an industry symposium this month that there are a number of reasons to transfer the programs, ITA reports:

"There is one program in the entire Department of Defense that does ballistic missile defense that was not part of the MDA and that is our Patriot system," Lennox said. Over the last 10 years, he said, the Army has not been able to invest in the Patriot system at the level it should have. Instead, he added, the Army has been investing in the Medium Extended Air Defense System.

MEADS is a trinational program with Italy and Germany, which the Army says it won't fund beyond a two-year research and development phase. The Army would then harvest the technology garnered from that phase.

By transferring aspects of the Patriot program, Lennox said, it could leverage the work the MDA is doing, the agency's buying power and its research and development arm. "That is the primary reason we see a benefit," he said.

Lennox said splitting funds between the Army and the MDA is a major undertaking. "Once that is resolved," he said, "we will go to the Department of Defense and ask their approval and then we know we have to go to Congress for their approval."

The MOA outlines the transfer of Army ballistic missile defense program responsibilities to MDA and lays out an implementation plan for the Army's program executive office for missiles and space to also serve as the program executive for Army BMD systems within MDA.