LM's PAC-3 MSE Missile Successfully Intercepts TBM Target During Test

Lockheed Martin’s  PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) successfully engaged, intercepted and destroyed a tactical ballistic missile (TBM) target today at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.  The first interceptor destroyed the target and the second PAC-3 MSE Missile self-destructed as planned.

“Today’s flight test provided another example of how the PAC-3 MSE Missile has significantly expanded the Patriot battlespace, engaging a TBM at unprecedented range,” said Richard McDaniel, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “This test was especially satisfying as it came just a few days after the first successful Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS) intercept flight test in which another PAC-3 MSE Missile intercepted a threat representative air-breathing target.”

The PAC-3 MSE Missile provides increased performance by expanding the lethal battlespace of the current PAC-3 Missile both in altitude and range employing the same proven hit-to-kill technology that the PAC-3 family of missiles uniquely brings to the Patriot system.

The MSE variant incorporates threat-driven and technology-enabled hardware and software upgrades to defeat the advancing threat set. The PAC-3 MSE Missile is packaged in a single canister that stacks to provide even more flexibility for the Patriot air defense system. 

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 highly 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.

Source : Lockheed Martin Corporation