Lockheed Martin and Diehl Defence have teamed up to explore the enhancement of Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) through the Aegis Weapon System.
Under a memorandum of understanding signed at the Berlin Security Conference, the two firms will evaluate integrating Diehl’s IRIS‑T series into the Aegis, potentially making it the first European missile deployed by the system.
The collaboration also includes exploring integration with the MK41 vertical launching system, used on Aegis-equipped ships such as Arleigh Burke–class destroyers, and its modular, land-based variant, the MK70.
“This strategic collaboration continues to showcase the scalability and increased capacity of our programs, which bring next‑generation IAMD capability and 21st century security worldwide,” said Chandra Marshall, Lockheed Martin VP.
Meanwhile, Diehl Defence CEO Helmut Rauch commented that through their collaboration, “navies around the globe can benefit from the optimum for air defence systems on their surface combat vessels.”
This is not the first time the American and German defense manufacturers have joined forces; in October, both agreed to expand cooperation on the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor’s global supply chain.
Aegis Weapon System
The Aegis Weapon System is deployed aboard naval vessels of the US and allied navies — including Japan, South Korea, Spain, Norway, and Australia — as an integrated combat system to detect, track, and intercept air, missile, and surface threats.
Designed for layered defense, it can engage multiple targets simultaneously, including supersonic and ballistic missiles, aircraft, and surface ships.
Aegis uses the AN/SPY-1 radar for continuous situational awareness and can deploy a variety of interceptors, including Standard Missiles, Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles, and Tomahawk cruise missiles.
