More On MEADS

Inside the Army reports this morning about a Pentagon report to Congress on the Medium Extended Air Defense System, specifically on how the Defense Department plans to spend upwards of $2 billion on beefing up Patriot, which MEADS was designed to replace:

Kendall's April 26 report is a response to a reporting requirement in the fiscal year 2012 Defense Authorization Act. Lawmakers wanted to know how DOD would finish developing MEADS with FY-12 funds one year earlier than planned, and what the air and missile defense portfolio would look like without the trinational system.

MEADS is a co-development effort involving the United States, Germany and Italy. A 2004 memorandum of understanding forms the basis for the partnership.

"The Army's Patriot modernization strategy is critical given U.S. plans to end participation in the MEADS program," Kendall wrote in his report. "Modernization includes upgraded Patriot launchers and radars, the PAC-3 [Missile Segment Enhancement] missile, net centric communication, and software upgrades."

The total required funding for a "Preplanned Patriot Product Improvement" program, a "Patriot MODS" program, a spares-related effort and development associated with PAC-3/MSE totals $400 million annually from FY-13 to FY-17, according to the report. Requirements upward of $500 million annually are on the books for procurement of the MSE, which is also used by MEADS, it adds. . . .

We now have the report (marked "for official use only"). Click here to view it.

. . . And here's some further background on the issue:

Sen. Begich: Continuing To Fund MEADS 'Makes No Sense' (Inside Missile Defense, April 4)

Continuing to fund the trinational Medium Extended Air Defense System "makes no sense," according to Sen. Mark Begich (D-AK).

"Last year, this committee unanimously agreed to get rid of the funding for MEADS, but you have now presented again in your budget to fund it -- almost a half a billion dollars," Begich said during a March 29 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to confirm a number of Defense Department appointees, including Frank Kendall to become Pentagon acquisition chief. "It makes no sense," he said. . . .

Senate Authorizers Mobilize Against MEADS; Decry DOD Budget Request (Inside the Army, March 26)

Nine members of the Senate Armed Services Committee last week voiced their opposition to the trinational Medium Extended Air Defense System, arguing the Defense Department's fiscal year 2013 request of $400 million for the program runs counter to the law.

McCain Questions Panetta On MEADS Funding; Says DOD 'Ignored' Law (DefenseAlert, March 22)

Senate Armed Services Committee Ranking Member John McCain (R-AZ) today alleged Pentagon leaders chose to "ignore the law" by requesting $400 million for the Medium Extended Air Defense System in the fiscal year 2013 budget request.

. . . and some related docs:

Sen. McCain's 3/22/2012 Letter To DOD On MEADS

Senators' 3/21/2012 Letter On MEADS Funding

U.S., German Defense Officials' 2/16/2012 Briefing At The Pentagon