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2020-09-01

MBDA and Lockheed Martin Bid for Germany’s Future IAMD System

MBDA Deutschland and Lockheed Martin, the TLVS bidders consortium (TLVS JV), have submitted an updated proposal for Germany’s future Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) system to the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). The proposal includes development, test, certification and delivery of the system.

“More than 80 subcontractors will support the TLVS programme. At peak performance, more than 6,000 highly qualified employees will benefit from the implementation of TLVS, with the majority in Germany.

A broad spectrum of industrial capabilities is to be involved covering system of systems engineering, cybersecurity, digitisation, as well as cutting-edge radar, optical and electrical engineering including small and medium suppliers. With these capabilities, the TLVS programme will ensure defence against advanced and future air and missile threats,” said Thomas Gottschild, managing director MBDA Deutschland. “In the last months, we made progress in further detailing the Integrated Master Schedule, relevant specifications as well as performance simulations to de-risk the future contract.”

Current threats demand a mobile IAMD system that is full 360-degree capable and based on an open network-centric architecture. Reportedly, only the TLVS system has these capabilities and the ability to rapidly adapt to the ever-changing threat environments.

“The TLVS Joint Venture between MBDA Deutschland and Lockheed Martin builds on our proud legacy of partnership with Germany to create jobs, share technical expertise and deliver capabilities to benefit industry on both sides of the Atlantic,” said Scott Arnold, vice president, Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “TLVS is a demonstrated, modern system that can transform Germany’s defence capabilities and enable the country as the NATO Framework Nation for Air & Missile Defence.”

Designed to replace Germany’s ageing, sectored Patriot systems designed in the late 1960s, the 2020 TLVS proposal provides protection from a broader threat spectrum with two mission-specific effectors, enhanced sensor capabilities for long range engagements and a new communications and Battle Management system to support interoperability, data fusion and cyber resilience.

Layered Defence Strategy

Using the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) as its foundation, TLVS will defeat next-generation threats including tactical ballistic missiles (TBM), unmanned aerial systems, cruise missiles and aircraft. Its proven hit-to-kill technology provides the best defence against TBMs armed with weapons of mass destruction.

With its netted-distributed capability and open plug and fight interface, TLVS is said to be the most advanced, networked IAMD system in the world, and it is the only system with the ability to flexibly react to changing threats using force that is tailored to the mission. TLVS will be the first IAMD system to provide continuous on-the-move protection for manoeuvre forces, area defence, homeland defence and weighted asset protection. Formal TLVS contract negotiations are ongoing in Germany.

Key Features

360-Degree Protection: TLVS defeats cruise missiles, TBMs and air-breathing threats attacking from any direction, with no blind spots.

Transportability and Mobility: Lightweight, efficient TLVS Major End Items need less strategic and tactical transport. TLVS is C-130/A400M transportable and has excellent cross-country mobility on ground.

Netted-Distributed Architecture with Plug-and-Fight: TLVS provides operational flexibility to tailor battle elements using distributed sensors, launchers and tactical operations centres (TOCs). Through its plug-and-fight capability, TLVS sensors, effectors or other TOCs act as nodes on the TLVS network. A commander can dynamically add or subtract elements without shutting the system down. A standardised interface extends plug-and- fight to non-TLVS elements.

Interoperability: Designed for coalition fighting, TLVS shares communications with external sensors and data links such as airborne C3 systems, ACCS, SAMOC, AEGIS, THAAD and Patriot.

Survivability and Sustainability: TLVS defends the force and defends itself. High off-road mobility, dispersion, and availability provide additional protection for the system. ECM resistance and distributed workload increase survivability. Graceful degradation and optimised on-board provisions result in high operational availability. Diagnostics minimise downtime and reduce resources to sustain fielded systems for extended periods.

Lower Operation and Sustainment Costs: Advanced logistic design and reliability reduce cost of ownership. No maintenance company is required. Using its 360-degree defensive capability, advanced radars and PAC-3 MSE missile, TLVS defends up to eight times the coverage area with far fewer system assets and significantly reduces demand for deployed personnel and equipment, which reduces demand for airlift.

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