Lockheed Martin [LMT] yesterday said its PAC-3 Missile successfully detected, tracked and intercepted an aerodynamic tactical ballistic missile target yesterday in a flight test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
“We continue to improve the capability of the PAC-3 Missile, staying ahead of the evolving threat,” said Richard McDaniel, PAC-3 Programs vice president in Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business. “This flight test success completes the validation of PAC-3’s latest software and hardware updates as we continue to provide this extremely capable hit-to-kill weapon to the warfighter.”
The test included a ripple fire engagement, utilizing a PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) Missile as the first interceptor and a PAC-3 Baseline Missile as the second interceptor. The CRI Missile includes block upgrades to the PAC-3 Baseline Missile for performance improvement.
The PAC-3 Missile is one of the world’s most advanced, capable and reliable theater air defense missiles. It defeats advanced tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. As the most technologically advanced missile for the Patriot air defense system, PAC-3 significantly increases the PATRIOT system’s firepower, as 16 PAC-3s can be loaded in place of only four legacy Patriot PAC-2 missiles on the PATRIOT launcher.