MBDA Germany has opened a new simulation and integration centre for air defense systems at its Schrobenhausen site.

With approximately 4,000 m² of usable space, this building offers a modern infrastructure and sufficient space for integrating large end items such as radar systems, launchers and command posts, and for installation in vehicles.

The building also houses a new simulation centre enabling, amongst other things, the simulation of air defense scenarios. The hall is a key part of the air defense centre of excellence at the company’s main site in Schrobenhausen. In addition to the new simulation and integration centre, the company’s facilities also comprise the test centre in Freinhausen and the laser weapons test facility.

“Together with other achievements, today’s opening of the air defense integration hall is a convincing testimony of how MBDA Germany is securing technological know-how and total system capability in the area of ground-based air defense in Germany”, proclaimed Lieutenant General Dieter Naskrent, Vice-Chief of Staff of the German Air Force, at the opening ceremony which took place on 31st July.

Over the past years, the company has invested over € 60 million in expanding and modernizing its Schrobenhausen site. The new integration hall for air defense systems was constructed as a part of this investment initiative.

“The competencies that our company has acquired in the air and missile defense sector over the past five decades make us a technology and systems leader in Germany. It is orders for programs like MEADS, Patriot, Stinger, Roland and Gepard, not to mention RAM and ESSM, that have enabled us to compile such unique know-how. We are willing to provide our competencies for future German and European air defense programs. This will also be supported by our new simulation and integrations centre”, stated Thomas Homberg, Managing Director of MBDA Germany.

During the opening ceremonies, the MEADS launcher was demonstrated in front of guests from the political domain, the German Ministry of Defense, the German Federal Office for Defense Technology and Procurement (BWB) and the German Air Force.

The program is currently preparing for the first test firing against a real target. This is scheduled to take place at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, USA at the end of the year. The test firing will utilize the command post, the Multifunction/Fire Control Radar (MFCR) and the launcher. The MEADS development program will conclude in 2014. The development results are to be used in developing a future air defense architecture.