ORLANDO, Fla., March 22 (UPI) -- U.S. company MEADS International says two completed Medium Extended Air Defense System elements have entered testing at an Italian air base.
The elements are a MEADS launcher and the BMC4I Tactical Operations Center.
During the initial test series, MEADS will demonstrate launcher and TOC functions, including system attachment/detachment in the first demonstration of MEADS plug-and-fight operation. The later addition of the Multifunction Fire Control Radar and a MEADS System Stimulator will enable demonstration of full MEADS system operation during simulated engagements of live target aircraft.
MEADS said that after pre-integration at Pratica di Mare Air Base, the MEADS system will complete integration at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico and begin flight testing in 2012.
The lightweight MEADS launcher carries up to eight PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles and achieves launch readiness in minimum time.
The Battle Management Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence TOC implements a network-centric open architecture that allows any combination of sensors and launchers to be task organized into a single air and missile defense battle element.
Through a capability called "plug-and-fight," sensors, shooters or other TOCs simply act as nodes on the network. From the MEADS Battle Manager, a commander can add or subtract elements as the situation dictates without shutting the system down.
Under development by Germany, Italy and the United States, MEADS is a mobile system that was designed to replace the Patriot anti-missile missile in the United States; the Nike Hercules in Italy and the retired Hawk system in Germany.
