For the first time ever, visitors to this year’s ILA exhibition have the opportunity to view all the TLVS/MEADS prototypes. The Tactical Air Defence System (TLVS) is based on the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), the development of which was concluded at the end of 2014. In June 2015, the Bundeswehr decided to implement TLVS on the basis of MEADS.
MEADS was developed in Germany, Italy and the USA by MBDA and Lockheed Martin. At the end of February 2016, MBDA Deutschland received an RFP (request for proposal) from the German Defence Ministry for the development of TLVS on the basis of MEADS. MBDA is now preparing a quotation jointly with a number of contractors, notably Lockheed Martin.
The Bundeswehr and MBDA together with Diehl Defense are exhibiting the TLVS/MEADS prototypes for the first time. These include:
– The Tactical Operation Centre (TOC)
– The Multifunctional Fire Control Radar (MFCR)
– The Ancillary Group (ANG), the power generation unit
– The PAC-3 MSE missile launcher for high-value targets
– The Diehl IRIS-T SL missile launcher
At today’s ILA press conference, Thomas Homberg, Managing Director of MBDA Deutschland, said: “TLVS/MEADS marks the advent of the next generation of ground-based air defence systems. Its 360° full-coverage defence capability and open system architecture with plug & fight functionality, which have been proven in live fire exercises, offer massive capability gains and enable a degree of interoperability with allies that has been impossible up to now.”
Rick Edwards, Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control added: “Interest in TLVS/MEADS is exceeding our expectations. Countries that have already chosen a competing system are now reconsidering their decisions in view of the unique performance capability of the new system. The selection decision in Germany is meeting with enormous international interest.”
MBDA’s stand is located at Display G3 / 001. The Bundeswehr is exhibiting the TLVS/MEADS equipment at the ILA Plaza Display H4, stand 003.
