MBDA and Lockheed Martin submit proposal to develop TLVS air defense system for Germany.

The TLVS (Taktisches Luftverteidigungssystem - Tactical Air Defense System) bidders consortium, an MBDA Deutschland and Lockheed Martin joint venture, has submitted its proposal to the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to develop, test and deliver TLVS, Germany’s future Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) system.

TLVS Taktisches Luftverteidigungssystem - Tactical air Defense System for the German army. (Picture source MBDA)

The tender proposes an efficient four-phased approach that includes development, integration, testing and delivery of a fielded multi-mission system. The fielded unit will deliver new capabilities and significant performance enhancements well beyond the MEADS program and all known systems.

“A brief glance at the headlines shows significant advances in adversarial threats in just the last five years, and we are operating in an environment today where those threats will likely only continue to proliferate,” said Dietmar Thelen, managing director of the TLVS joint venture. “Germany needs a future-proof solution that can grow with the emerging threat.”

Designed to replace Germany’s aging, sectored Patriot systems designed in the late 1960s, the 2019 TLVS proposal provides protection from a broader threat spectrum with two mission-specific effectors, significantly enhanced radar capabilities for long range engagements and a new communications system to support enhanced interoperability, data fusion and cyber resilience. TLVS will be the first-ever integrated air and missile defense system able to simultaneously detect, track and intercept multiple threat sets, including medium and short-range threats with full 360-degree coverage.

“We’ve completely reimagined TLVS based on customer requirements. Our approach reduces risk, supports lower life-cycle costs and enables more effective coalition operations,” said Gregory Kee, managing director of the TLVS joint venture. “TLVS will allow Germany to provide regional protection as the Framework Nation for Air and Missile Defense for NATO, with a high degree of system sovereignty.”

The TLVS proposal represents the beginning of a new chapter in the longstanding partnership between MBDA Deutschland and Lockheed Martin.

With its integrated plug and fight interface, TLVS is the most advanced, networked 360° IAMD system in the world. It is the only system with the ability to adapt to evolving threats using capabilities that are tailored to the mission. TLVS will transform Germany’s defense capabilities and set an important precedent in how neighboring nations address persistent global threats for years to come.