The U.S. government awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to develop, integrate, and test the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE). This agreement integrates the PAC-3 MSE with the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Combat System.
This move equips U.S. warships with advanced air and missile defense capabilities for the first time. The U.S. Army and 16 allied nations currently utilize this technology. The integration significantly enhances the fleet’s defensive shield against advanced threats.
The PAC-3 MSE functions as a highly advanced hit-to-kill interceptor. This integration provides a critical upgrade to naval integrated air and missile defense (IAMD) capabilities. Lockheed Martin used internal investments to begin work before receiving government funding to accelerate the delivery timeline.