A transatlantic team that includes The Boeing Company [NYSE:BA] and SAIC has been selected to participate in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Active Layered Theatre Ballistic Missile Defense (TBMD) Feasibility Study to develop architecture solutions that fully integrate Alliance capabilities into an effective, affordable, theatre ballistic missile defense.
The contract, valued at approximately $13.5 million, is managed by the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A). Two contractor teams were awarded study contracts and will conduct parallel independent studies.
The NATO TBMD Feasibility Study is an 18-month program with a potential follow-on project definition effort. In the study phase, SAIC will serve as prime contractor. In subsequent program phases, Boeing will lead the team as prime contractor.
"This is one of the most complex projects NATO has undertaken," said Jim Evatt, executive vice president and general manager, Boeing Missile Defense Systems. "During the next 18 months, the team will work together to provide NATO with a complete analysis and recommendations to support their TBMD requirement."
The feasibility study will examine all potential components of an integrated and fielded TBMD system, including weapons systems, firing platforms, sensors, and battle management command, control, communications and intelligence elements. Ultimately, the NATO TBMD system will protect deployed troops and/or selected NATO regions against potential threats.
In addition to SAIC and Boeing, European teammates include the Defense Evaluation & Research Agency (UK), Diehl Munitions System (Germany), European Aeronautics & Defense Space Company's Launch Vehicles division (France), IABG (Germany), and The Netherlands Organization of Applied Scientific Research. The team of companies combines the leading US and European studies and large-scale systems organization in a single team committed to technical excellence and the definition of a viable long-term active layered TMD program for NATO.
The Boeing Company is the largest aerospace company in the world and the United States' leading exporter. It is the world's largest manufacturer of commercial jetliners and military aircraft, and the largest NASA contractor. The company's capabilities in aerospace also include rotorcraft, electronic and defense systems, missiles, rocket engines, launch vehicles, and advanced information and communication systems. The company has an extensive global reach with customers in 145 countries and manufacturing operations throughout the United States, Canada and Australia.