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2019-01-01

Lockheed Martin Awarded $1.8 B for PAC-3 Missiles

The U.S and allied military forces will reportedly upgrade their missile defence capabilities under a $1.8 billion contract for production and delivery of Lockheed Martin Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) and PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors.

The contract includes deliveries for the U.S. Army and Foreign Military Sales of PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE interceptors, launcher modification kits and associated equipment.

"PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE give our customers unmatched, combat-proven Hit-to-Kill technology to address growing and evolving threats," said Jay Pitman, vice president of PAC-3 programmes at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE are proven, trusted and reliable interceptors that employ hit-to-kill accuracy, lethality and enhanced safety to address dangers around the world."

Lockheed Martin pioneered what’s called ‘Hit-to-Kill’ technology and it’s rapidly transforming how the world looks at missile defence. With Hit-to-Kill, an interceptor now has the sensing ability, agility and accuracy to directly hit a target head on, completely destroying the threat and keeping dangerous debris away from protected areas when it matters most.

Lockheed Martin interceptors such as PAC-3, PAC-3 MSE and MHTK, as well as its THAAD and MEADS systems, all employ Hit-to-Kill tech and can achieve intercepts at higher altitudes and ranges, which is important when defending against weapons of mass destruction and making sure that these threats stay safely far away from home.

The family of PAC-3 missiles are high-velocity interceptors that defend against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft. Countries such as the U.S., Germany, Kuwait, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, the Netherlands, UAE, Romnia, Poland and Sweden have chosen PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE to provide missile defence capabilities.

Building on the combat-proven PAC-3, the PAC-3 MSE uses a two-pulse solid rocket motor that increases altitude and range to defend against evolving threats.

Defeating Threats with PAC-3

The Patriot Advanced Capability – 3 (PAC-3) interceptor is one of the most advanced, capable and powerful terminal air defence missiles in the world.

The ‘Hit-To-Kill’ PAC-3 Missile defeats the entire threat: tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs), cruise missiles and aircraft. The PAC-3 Missile is a quantum leap ahead of any other air defence missile when it comes to the ability to protect the warfighter in their defining moments. It is a high velocity interceptor that defeats incoming targets by direct, body-to-body impact. PAC-3 Missiles, when deployed in a Patriot battery, significantly increase the Patriot system’s firepower, since 16 PAC-3s load-out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four Patriot PAC-2 missiles. One hundred per cent effective in Operation Iraqi Freedom, PAC-3 Missiles are now deployed with U.S. forces.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is the prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defence system. The upgrade consists of the PAC-3 Missile, a highly agile Hit-to-Kill interceptor, the PAC-3 Missile canisters (in four packs), a fire solution computer and an Enhanced Launcher Electronics System (ELES). These elements are integrated into the Patriot system, a high to medium altitude, long-range air defence missile system providing air defence of ground combat forces and high-value assets.

The PAC-3 Missile uses a solid propellant rocket motor, aerodynamic controls, attitude control motors (ACMs) and inertial guidance to navigate. The missile flies to an intercept point specified prior to launch by its ground-based fire solution computer, which is embedded in the engagement control station.

Target trajectory data can be updated during missile flyout by means of a radio frequency uplink/downlink. Shortly before arrival at the intercept point, the PAC-3 Missile’s on board Ka band seeker acquires the target, selects the optimal aim point and terminal guidance is initiated. The ACMs, which are small, short duration solid propellant rocket motors located in the missile fore body, fire explosively to refine the missile’s course to assure body-to-body impact. The missile was selected as the primary interceptor for the multi-national MEADS. Managed by the NATO MEADS Management Agency (NAMEADSMA), MEADS is a model transatlantic development programme focused on the next generation of air and missile defence.

Countering Risks with PAC-3 MSE

The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) is an evolution of the battle-proven PAC-3 Missile. The Hit-to-Kill PAC-3 MSE provides performance enhancements that counter evolving threat advancements. Also, its design utilises latest technology to significantly increase performance. These enhancements ensure the PAC-3 Missile Segment of the Patriot Air Defence System is capable of engaging new and evolving threats.

The PAC-3 MSE incorporates a larger, dual pulse solid rocket motor; larger fins; and upgraded actuators and thermal batteries to accommodate increased performance. The modifications extend the missile’s reach. The PAC-3 MSE is packaged in a single canister that stacks to provide logistical flexibility. Twelve individual PAC-3 MSE Missiles can be loaded on a Patriot launcher or a combination of six MSEs and eight PAC-3 Missiles (two four packs) can be loaded. Several successful intercept flight tests of the missiles have been conducted. PAC-3 MSE has completed operational testing and has received approval for initial production.

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