The US Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a $752.3m contract modification to increase the production capacity of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) missiles.
This contract, with current obligations of $368.6m, aims to raise the annual production rate from 550 to 650 missiles, addressing the global demand for PAC-3 MSE.
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Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control PAC-3 Programs vice-president Brian Kubik said: “Demand for PAC-3 MSE’s combat-proven deterrence capabilities continues to grow at a rapid pace.
“To meet the increased demand, Lockheed Martin started this effort with internal funding more than a year ago to expand the PAC-3 MSE production capacity, both in our factories and across the supply chain. We are also investing to implement lean, agile processes to deliver this critical product to our partners more efficiently.”
The PAC-3 MSE is a long-range, surface-to-surface missile designed to counter threats such as tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft.
It features a two-pulse solid rocket motor and enhanced airframe, providing greater manoeuvrability against advanced threats.
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By GlobalDataThe missile’s responsive airframe, larger fins, upgraded actuators, and thermal batteries enhance performance and extend reach.
A single ground-based launching station can load up to 12 PAC-3 MSE missiles or a combination of six PAC-3 MSE and eight PAC-3 CRI missiles.
The PAC-3 MSE is also compatible with existing Patriot launchers, ensuring seamless integration into current defence systems.
The contract award is managed by Program Executive Office Missile and Space (PEO MS) and executed in collaboration with Army Contracting Command-Redstone Arsenal.
Program Executive Officer Missile and Space Frank Lozano said: “The PAC-3 MSE is a key component of the Army’s air defence strategy in regions such as the EUCOM, CENTCOM, and INDOPACOM AORs, where the threat of ballistic and cruise missiles is high.
“By increasing production capacity of the PAC-3 MSE, the Army is ensuring it has a sufficient supply of capability to support the regional security requirements of both the US Army and our allies.”
Lockheed Martin is set to surpass its planned production capacity for the coming years. By the end of 2024, the company will have produced over 500 PAC-3 MSE missiles, setting a new production record. Additionally, the team has recently completed the production of the 2,000th PAC-3 MSE missile, marking a key achievement in the program’s development.
Earlier in November 2024, Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 missile integrated with Raytheon’s LTAMDS radar to defeat a tactical ballistic missile, validating software updates for evolving threats in the US Army’s modernised IAMD architecture.
In addition, the US Army allocated $4.5bn earlier in 2024 for the supply of PAC-3 missiles. According to the US Department of Defense, the work will be completed by 30 June 2027.
