Lockheed Martin's Successful PAC-3 MSE Missile Flight Test

Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 missile segment enhancement (MSE) missile successfully engaged, intercepted, and destroyed two different threat representative targets during a recent flight test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.  

 

The first target engagement involved two PAC-3 MSE missiles ripple-fired against an advanced tactical ballistic missile (TBM) target. The first MSE missile successfully engaged a TBM target, while the second missile self-destructed as planned. A third PAC-3 MSE missile engaged a BQM-74 cruise missile target. Preliminary data indicates that all test objectives were achieved.

 

“[The] test provides the final flight test data required to demonstrate the design maturity of the PAC-3 MSE configuration and its readiness to enter into production,” says Richard McDaniel, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Additionally, we demonstrated for the first time a multi-target engagement with MSE interceptors.”

 

As technologically advanced missiles for the PATRIOT air and missile defense system, PAC-3 and MSE missiles significantly increase the system’s firepower, allowing 16 PAC-3 or 12 MSE missiles to be loaded in place of just four legacy PATRIOT PAC-2 missiles on the launcher. The PAC-3 MSE missile is packaged in a single canister that stacks to provide even more loadout flexibility for the operational warfighter.

 

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is prime contractor for the PAC-3 missile segment and missile segment enhancement upgrades to the PATRIOT air defense system. The upgrades consist of the agile hit-to-kill PAC-3/MSE missiles, the PAC-3 missile canisters (in four/one packs), the Fire Solution Computer and the Enhanced Launcher Electronics System, all of which are modularly integrated into PATRIOT.