MEADS Battery Render
Reaching fully operational capacity in 2015, NATO's Medium Extended Air Defense System (or MEADS, for short) quickly replaced the PATRIOT as the western world's primary strategic ground-based air defense system. The program was developed by a multinational team consisting of the Americans, British, French, and Germans, and was designed to address the shortcomings of existing systems across the Alliance, as well as permitting full interoperability between US and allied forces.
MEADS provides a unique mix of ground-mobile air and missile defense against a broad array of adversary capabilities. Greater interoperability, mobility, and a fully 360-degree detection and engagement bubble proves a significant improvement over legacy systems. Designed to accompany both maneuver units, or protect static, high-value targets, MEADS offers the flexibility that no other western system previously could. Truck-mounted system components drive or roll on and off C-130 and A-400M transport aircraft, and are quickly deployable to any theater of operations.
The minimum requirement to engage a hostile target is only one launcher, one Battle Management TOC, and one Fire Control Radar. As more system elements arrive, they automatically and seamlessly join the MEADS network in a "plug-and-fight" fashion. Because fewer system assets are needed, it permits a substantial reduction in deployed personnel, equipment, or airlift capacity.
By the outbreak of the Second Eastern European War in June 2016, only the United States and German contingents of ZEUS fielded full MEADS batteries. The "plug-and-fight" capability of the system allowed German launcher units to be controlled by the first American Battle Management truck that was forward deployed, rapidly expanding the air defense coverage zone. As the conflict escalated and NATO became more involved in supporting Ukrainian, Slovakian, and Bulgarian forces, these units were able to deploy to the Alliance's southern flank in Czechia within days. By mid-December, Yugoslav advance into Bulgaria had been significantly curtailed by allied airstrikes. With the conflict rapidly turning against the aggressors, NATO leadership grew increasingly concerned about potential retaliatory strikes by Yugoslavia's considerable conventional ballistic missile arsenal. Although the threat never materialized, German and British MEADS units both had successes against enemy Cikavak Alpha helicopters that would conduct hit and run attacks across the border, downing three enemy aircraft by the close of the conflict.
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Final render of the entire MEADS battery, showing components from the American military and ZEUS! Shout-out to Corvin for designing the mobile power generator and providing his MAN SX-mounted systems. Also heavily inspired by Kuk4's awesome Frettchen SAM system.
Dual upload with Erik's awesome VF-1 FREESTYLE fighter jet. Go take a look!
MEADS Battery Render
Reaching fully operational capacity in 2015, NATO's Medium Extended Air Defense System (or MEADS, for short) quickly replaced the PATRIOT as the western world's primary strategic ground-based air defense system. The program was developed by a multinational team consisting of the Americans, British, French, and Germans, and was designed to address the shortcomings of existing systems across the Alliance, as well as permitting full interoperability between US and allied forces.
MEADS provides a unique mix of ground-mobile air and missile defense against a broad array of adversary capabilities. Greater interoperability, mobility, and a fully 360-degree detection and engagement bubble proves a significant improvement over legacy systems. Designed to accompany both maneuver units, or protect static, high-value targets, MEADS offers the flexibility that no other western system previously could. Truck-mounted system components drive or roll on and off C-130 and A-400M transport aircraft, and are quickly deployable to any theater of operations.
The minimum requirement to engage a hostile target is only one launcher, one Battle Management TOC, and one Fire Control Radar. As more system elements arrive, they automatically and seamlessly join the MEADS network in a "plug-and-fight" fashion. Because fewer system assets are needed, it permits a substantial reduction in deployed personnel, equipment, or airlift capacity.
By the outbreak of the Second Eastern European War in June 2016, only the United States and German contingents of ZEUS fielded full MEADS batteries. The "plug-and-fight" capability of the system allowed German launcher units to be controlled by the first American Battle Management truck that was forward deployed, rapidly expanding the air defense coverage zone. As the conflict escalated and NATO became more involved in supporting Ukrainian, Slovakian, and Bulgarian forces, these units were able to deploy to the Alliance's southern flank in Czechia within days. By mid-December, Yugoslav advance into Bulgaria had been significantly curtailed by allied airstrikes. With the conflict rapidly turning against the aggressors, NATO leadership grew increasingly concerned about potential retaliatory strikes by Yugoslavia's considerable conventional ballistic missile arsenal. Although the threat never materialized, German and British MEADS units both had successes against enemy Cikavak Alpha helicopters that would conduct hit and run attacks across the border, downing three enemy aircraft by the close of the conflict.
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Final render of the entire MEADS battery, showing components from the American military and ZEUS! Shout-out to Corvin for designing the mobile power generator and providing his MAN SX-mounted systems. Also heavily inspired by Kuk4's awesome Frettchen SAM system.
Dual upload with Erik's awesome VF-1 FREESTYLE fighter jet. Go take a look!