Photo supplied by Lockheed Martin Corp.This is the first publicly released photo of a prototype of the MEADS missile defense system surveillance radar that was designed and developed at the Lockheed plant in Salina, NY, for the U.S. Army. The surveillance radar can search 360-degrees for incoming missiles, planes and drones and be hauled around on the back of a truck.
Washington, D.C. -- Hundreds of Central New York workers building a long-delayed missile defense system could lose their jobs if Congress proceeds with a plan to eliminate the program’s funding.
Lockheed Martin’s plant in Salina has a $625 million share of the multibillion-dollar contract to design and develop the Medium Extended Air Defense System, or MEADS.
About 325 Lockheed engineers and technicians in Salina have been building two radars to spot and track enemy missiles, fighter jets or drones — and target them with interceptor missiles.
The United States, with partners Germany and Italy, already has spent $3.4 billion to develop its replacement of the Army’s aging Patriot missile defenses.