ORLANDO/MUNICH/ROME, Aug. 14, 2012 – The first Medium Extended Air
Defense System (MEADS) Multifunction Fire Control Radar (MFCR) has been
integrated with a MEADS battle manager and launcher at Pratica di Mare
Air Force Base near Rome, Italy.
The objectives of the integration test series were to demonstrate that
the MEADS TOC could control the MEADS MFCR in coordination with the
MEADS Launcher.
At Pratica di Mare, the MFCR demonstrated key functionalities including
360-degree target acquisition and track using both dedicated flights and
other air traffic.
MEADS International President Dave Berganini said, “The MEADS MFCR
combines extraordinary capability and cost effectiveness. It can detect
and track advanced threats with 360-degree coverage and no blind spots.
Unlike fielded radars, it is highly mobile and C-130 transportable.”
The MFCR has been airlifted to White Sands Missile Range, N.M., in preparation for an intercept flight test later this year.
The MFCR is an X-band, solid-state, phased array radar using
element-level transmit/receive modules. It provides precision tracking
and wideband discrimination and classification capabilities. For
extremely rapid deployments, the MEADS MFCR can provide both
surveillance and fire control capabilities until a surveillance radar
joins the network. The MFCR uses its main beam for uplink and downlink
missile communications. An advanced Mode 5 identify friend-or-foe
subsystem supports improved threat identification and typing.
Through its plug-and-fight capability, the MFCR simply acts as a node on
the MEADS network. The MEADS battle manager lets a commander
dynamically add or subtract sensors and shooters as the situation
dictates without shutting the system down.
MEADS International Technical Director Marco Riccetti said, “Integration
of the MFCR, Battle Manager and Launcher is proving that all elements
are capable of tracking live targets and engaging them virtually. We are
on track for a successful intercept flight test at White Sands Missile
Range later this year.”
Asian Defence News
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