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perationally and tactically, our
forces will likely fight on less dense battlefields,
over greater expanses of land and with large
gaps between friendly forces. Ground force
commanders will incur risks as they constitute
forces in major unit assembly areas upon
arrival to a theater of operations. Medium
Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) is a
lower-tier system that will play a key role
in reducing these risks in future Army and
Marine Corps operations because it is the
only MD system under consideration that
can provide maneuver forces with 360 degree
defense protection against short-range tactical
ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and
unmanned aerial vehicles. It must be able
to move rapidly and protect the maneuver
force during offensive operations. MEADS
is designed to perform these critical air
and missile defense functions. Through international
cooperation, multi-national burden sharing
by the U.S., Germany, and Italy has reduced
cost estimates for MEADS. 
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