Lockheed Martin recently delivered the first two intra-fire unit communications hardware components for the tri-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS).

The two Message Routing Subsystem units are essential elements of the MEADS Internal Communications Subsystem (MICS) hardware, which will support the system-level integration and test of intra-fire unit communications for the air and missile defense system.

MICS provides secure tactical communications between the MEADS major end items (consisting of the launcher, surveillance radar and multifunction fire control radar) across a high-speed network.

With MICS, the MEADS major end items can be widely dispersed while still communicating clearly, rapidly and efficiently. The Message Routing Subsystem supports the networked exchange of command, control and status data between the major components and the Tactical Operations Center.

"The Message Routing Subsystem component of the MEADS communications solution is critical to secure data exchange," said Rich Russell, director of Sensors, Data Links and Advanced Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

"The MICS network capability will play a significant role in joint integrated air defense operations between the U.S., German and Italian armed forces."

The MICS Message Routing Subsystem provides internet protocol-based communications connectivity while significantly reducing MEADS major end items' vulnerability to enemy threat systems.

MEADS International is a joint venture between Lockheed Martin in the U.S., LFK in Germany and MBDA in Italy. As the prime contractor for MEADS under the NATO MEADS Management Agency, MEADS International awarded Lockheed Martin the MICS design and development contract in December 2006.

Delivery of all 16 Message Routing Subsystem units and post-delivery systems integration and test will be complete in 2013.

MEADS is a mobile air and missile defense system that will incorporate the hit-to-kill PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement Missile in a system that includes 360-degree surveillance and fire control sensors, netted-distributed battle management/communication centers and high-firepower launchers.

The system will combine superior battlefield protection with extensive flexibility, allowing it to protect maneuver forces and to provide selected critical assets for homeland defense against tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft.