The contribution of the medium extended air defense system (meads) to U.S. post‐cold war strategy

Abstract

In the post‐cold war environment, the United States, as the only nation capable of conducting large‐scale military operations far beyond its borders, is constantly beseeched to put out regional brushfires and restore international order. These conflicts have been intensified by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and their delivery systems (particularly ballistic and cruise missiles) in turbulent regions like North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Northeast Asia. The need for weapons systems that offer protection to U.S. and allied power projection forces and their assets is critical to achieving U.S. security objectives. The intervention mission is growing increasingly important to U.S. military strategy, and the risks and potential costs involved are increasing as well. One key weapon to counter this nexus of regional and proliferation threats is the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), a cooperative program of the United States, Germany, and Italy. In developing MEADS, the participating countries all seek to protect their maneuver forces and critical assets from advanced air threats and ballistic and cruise missiles, conceivably armed with WMD.