Transport for U.S. Patriot Units-Update!

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

MEADS reaches 75% Critical Design Testing (CDT) stage and is on track for final flight testing in White Sands NM. in mid 2012. It will use at this time use a common truck based launcher developed by Germany.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/15202/
Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Amid Russian concerns, the U.S. deploys the first Patriot battery to Poland.
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/579/
Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

MEADS reaches a critical milestone. But before I go further MEADS will be on a truck mounted platform as developed by Germany who's primarily handling the launcher system, will track this and present it when finalized.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/16290/
Have a great weekend!
Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

NATO missile defence linked up.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/17091/
Had to clear my head as these things where rolling around as I took a break from things here.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Interview with Mr. Gregory Kee the GM in charge of the NATO MEADS program. I found it interesting that he says of the system that it's at least eight times more efficient and capable then the PATRIOT system. Apparently it's still on track for missile testing in 2012. One of it's big advantages is that it will be more mobile with a larger missile load (12). I believe the system will see the light of day because of Russia's increase in anti-air/anti-missile systems (S-400 and S-500) and units.
I'll have to check but I believe there will be a game issue here also, but that's for later.
http://www.defpro.com/daily/details/647/

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

USA completes first SLAMRAMM FMTV launcher firing test. The FMTV will replace the HUMEVEE as the Army's launch platform for SLAMRAMM. I believe the FMTV is manufactured by OSHKOSH
(M-ATV etc.). Successful completion could lead the FMTV to be the platform for the AIM-9X and other systems (MEADS?).
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/18169/

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I present the following; the B-1 we know the missile is fairly new.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/18160/ and deserves a pic:



Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

MEADS successful in interoperability testing with NATO defence shield program testing. This was a landmark test as this was the first time it has been tested outside of the U.S., Italian and German sphere. This mobile system is still on track for final flight testing in 2012 @ White Sands NM test range.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/18245/
The Oshkosh FMTV (See above post.) might be considered as a possible mobile launcher for MEADS as well but, it's only a rumor.

As a quick side note Russia kills the S-300 deal with Iran last week IAW latest UN sanctions.

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

MEADS prepares for it's next critical phase when the C&C vehicle will be unveiled and tested in Italy, this will be important and I'm sure will be done in a timely manner before the U.S. and it's partners (Germany & Italy) decide on whether to proceed with the program or not. Program for now appears on track for complete systems integrated testing to start in mid 2012 @ White Sands, NM.
The system is still on my delete list though, only Italy has it. Also it's shown as a static and not mobile system in the game. The Osh-Kosh FMTV is still the likely launcher platform and ammo supply vehicle due to it's armored cab. If again the system survives the budget cutting ax, we won't see it fielded until 2015 - 2016 time frame.
Lockheed Martin is making a strong case with the PATRIOT PAC-3 but backing out of the MEADS program could cost in the 100's of millions of dollars, it's a toss up right now. UK MOD is the latest not to back out on a program, they will continue with building the two QUEEN ELISABETH Class carriers that are, not planned to go operational, only because it would cost more to stop the program then continue on with it.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/20770/

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

UAE and TAIWAN get the PATRIOT PAC-3. PAC-3 is the most advanced version of the PATRIOT Missile System. Lockheed Martin and it's partners in the program are lobbying hard to defeat the MEADS System Program developed by the U.S., GERMANY & ITALY which is also a SPAA platform.
http://defense-update.com/wp/20101224_pac3.html

Regards,
Pat

[FASTBOAT TOUGH]

Now that SLAMRAAM is dead (See APC post #85) and MEADS for now is hanging in there, here's an article from the end of Oct. 2010 that provided the "heads up" on the topic at hand.
http://www.defpro.com/news/details/18942/
The political rangling has started but when the Senate Minority Leader (Republican Mitch McConnell.) comes out to support the SECDEF publically on his recommendations it's pretty much a done deal.

Regards,
Pat