U.S. Army advanced defense system successfully intercepted tactical ballistic missile

Pentagon’s No.1 weapons supplier Lockheed Martin Corp has reported that the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement, an advanced missile defense system, successfully intercepted a tactical ballistic missile in a U.S. Army flight test at White Sands Missile Range.

PAC-3 MSE interceptor successfully detected, tracked and intercepted a tactical ballistic missile target today in a test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, according to a company news release.

“We are continuously looking for ways to improve the PAC-3 missile, increase its capabilities and expand the missile’s ability to defend against the growing number of potential threats,” said Brenda Davidson, vice president of PAC-3 Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Flight tests like this demonstrate Lockheed Martin’s commitment to increasing the performance of PAC-3.”

The PAC-3 family of missiles are the only combat proven Hit-to-Kill interceptors that defend against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft. Ten nations – the United States, Qatar, Japan, Romania, Poland, the United Arab Emirates, Sweden, Korea, Bahrain and Germany – have signed agreements to procure PAC-3 MSE interceptors.

In April, Lockheed Martin received a $6.07 billion contract from the U.S. Army for the production of PAC-3 MSE interceptors and associated equipment, to be delivered across FY21, FY22 and FY23 contract years.