MEADS – The Missile to Nowhere

Today, November 17, 2011, the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) will be tested.  Now, before you get too excited, this test will be nothing more than a dog and pony show to keep its funding alive and try to silence the critics.  As one of the harshest critics of the program (see previous blog posts here and here), the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) sent a series of e-mails mails to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medium Extended Air Defense System Management Agency (NAMEADSMA), the Army, and MEADS International on November 8, 2011.  The only response was from NAMEADSMA.  While we appreciated the response, the answers were less than satisfactory and raised even more questions.

• When asked about whether or not the missile will be trying to hit a target, NAMEADSMA responded, “This mission will demonstrate the 360-degree capability of the MEADS Launcher and missile against a simulated target to the rear of the launcher.”  This means the missile is not actually hitting a live target.  So this MEADS demonstration will consist of firing a missile into the air at nothing in particular. An important question remains: If there is no physical target, how will MEADS publicly verify that the missile flew to the right point in space at the correct time? It is hard to understand what the US Army will learn from a missile demonstration where there is no intercept. Apparently the measure of success for this test will be the missile leaving the canister.

• When asked about how firing a single missile will accomplish the task of 360 degree protection NAMEADSMA responded, “Unlike currently fielded Air and Missile Defense (AMD) systems,  MEADS provides 360-degree coverage through the combination of advanced 360-degree rotating sensors, near-vertical launch capability and the improved MEADS MSE missile.  This test will demonstrate an unprecedented over-the-shoulder launch of the MEADS MSE missile by the MEADS launcher against a simulated target attacking from behind.”  This is nothing more than a repeat of the first question with more PR language sprinkled in and raises more questions such as:  how does firing one missile prove 360 degree coverage; when will you do multiple missiles at multiple targets from all 360?

• When asked about who will be attending the test, NAMEADSMA responded, “The North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medium Extended Air Defense System Management Agency (NAMEADSMA), MEADS International (a tri-national team consisting of LFK, MBDA Italia and Lockheed Martin), and the Materiel Test Directorate of White Sands Missile Range will conduct this MEADS System Characterization test.”  However, there is no mention of whether or not any US Army acquisition or requirements officials will be participating. If not, why?

On November 14, 2011, TPA sent more questions to NAMEADSMA and we have yet to hear back.  As MEADS completes its “test” and the Super Committee prepares to release its list of cuts there is no reason why MEADS should not be at the top of the list of spending cuts.  Taxpayers and America’s fighting men and women deserve more than an unnecessary and expensive program.