MEADS Undergoes First Flight Test, Despite Funding Crunch | Aviation International News

MEADS Undergoes First Flight Test, Despite Funding Crunch

Lockheed Martin announced that the troubled, tri-national, medium extended air defense system (MEADS)

Lockheed Martin demonstrates the MSE development of the Patriot PAC-3 missile in an earlier test-firing. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

By Chris Pocock • Defense Correspondent

November 25, 2011

Lockheed Martin announced that the troubled, tri-national, medium extended air defense system (MEADS) underwent its first flight test, at the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) on November 17.

The U.S., Germany and Italy agreed in 2004 to jointly develop MEADS as a replacement for Patriot, Hawk and Nike Hercules air defense systems. Lockheed Martin, LFK of Germany and MBDA Italia continue to work on the $3.4 billion development contract, but Germany recently joined the U.S. in deciding not to fund the production and deployment of MEADS. An American taxpayer watchdog group described the flight test as “nothing more than a dog-and-pony show to boost funding and keep [MEADS] off the chopping block.”

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