MBDA and Lockheed submit bid for Germany's IAMD programme

An MBDA Deutchsland/Lockheed Martin joint venture has submitted its proposal for Germany’s future integrated air and missile defence (IAMD) acquisition programme. 

The tactical air defence (TLVS) consortium announced on 24 June that it has submitted its proposal to the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support to develop, test and deliver TLVS to Germany, which will be based on the MEADS air defence system. 

The tender proposes a four-phased approach that includes development, integration, testing and delivery of a fielded multi-mission system. 

The fielded unit will deliver new capabilities and performance enhancements beyond the MEADS programme and other known systems. 

‘Just look at the headlines to see that in the last five years alone, the range of enemy threats has increased significantly. Today, we are dealing with an environment in which these threats will continue to increase,’ Dietmar Thelen, MBDA’s managing director of the TLVS joint venture, said.  ‘Germany needs a future-proof solution that can grow with the emerging threat.’

Designed to replace Germany’s ageing Patriot systems designed in the late 1960s, the 2019 TLVS proposal provides protection from a broader threat spectrum with two mission-specific effectors, enhanced radar capabilities for long range engagements, and a new communications system to support enhanced interoperability, data fusion and cyber resilience. 

TLVS will be the first integrated air and missile defence system able to simultaneously detect, track and intercept multiple threat sets, including medium and short-range threats with full 360-degree coverage, the JV said.

The offering has an integrated plug and fight interface, and is able to adapt to evolving threats using capabilities that are tailored to the mission.