Successful PAC-3 Missile Flight Test

Lockheed Martin engineers conducted a successful PAC-3 missile flight test last week at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., in which missile successfully detected, tracked, and intercepted an aerodynamic, threat-representative tactical ballistic missile target.

 

The ripple fire engagement of two PAC-3 missiles resulted in the first interceptor destroying the target. The second PAC-3 Missile was self-destructed on command as planned.

 

"The PAC-3 Missile continues to deliver proven, reliable performance along with unmatched lethality," says Richard McDaniel, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "The capability PAC-3 provides continues to draw significant interest from a number of international customers."

 

Lockheed Martin recently received a $308 million contract for continued production of the PAC-3 Missile for the U.S. and Kuwait. The Fiscal Year (FY13) contract includes missile and command launch system production for the U.S. Army and a first time foreign military sale (FMS) of the PAC-3 Missile to Kuwait. Kuwait becomes the sixth international customer for the PAC-3 Missile. Lockheed Martin is prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement project of the Patriot air defense system.

 

The PAC-3 theater air defense missile is designed to defend against advanced tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. PAC-3 increases the Patriot system's firepower, allowing 16 PAC-3s to be loaded in place of just four legacy Patriot PAC-2 missiles on the Patriot launcher.