Global Security Newswire

The U.S. Army could be interested in purchasing radar technology that is under development as part of the Medium Extended Air Defense System, Aviation Week reported on Tuesday.

The battlefield antimissile technology is intended to provide troops with protection against fighter aircraft, cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missiles. The system has been in development for more than 10 years with financing provided by the United States, Italy and Germany. However, the U.S. Defense Department has announced that after the next fiscal year it will cease funding the program, which has been beset by cost overruns and delays, and that it has no plans to acquire MEADS units when they do become available.

The MEADS system was originally intended to supplant U.S. reliance on the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 system, but the Pentagon will instead extend use of the PAC-3 missiles for up to an additional 30 years. The Army is now financing efforts to increase the lifespan of the Patriot system's electronics, according to Brig. Gen. Ole Knudson, program executive officer for the service's missile and space activities.

The MEADS threat surveillance radar is the most attractive component of the program for being made interoperable with PAC-3 interceptors, Knudson said.

A MEADS technology flight intercept assessment planned for 2012 will utilize the system's radar, according to Lockheed Martin MEADS Business Development Director Marty Coyne. Lockheed is the principal contractor working on the radar.