Integrating for the 21st Century Security® Mission – Lockheed Martin Enhances Air and Missile Defense with PAC-3 MSE/Aegis
In today’s security environment, our service members require more options with existing equipment. The rapid evolution in military technologies drives our urgent need to deliver integrated, advanced security technologies to realize our 21st Century Security® vision.
To deliver an advanced capability with growing capacity to the U.S. Navy, Lockheed Martin is investing in an integration to meet those needs, the integration of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) into the most capable, multi-mission combat system deployed in the world today, the Aegis Weapon system. This integration could deliver U.S. sailors an enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) capability.
With PAC-3’s advanced capability and increasing capacity, naval forces could fill in critical gaps with a combat-proven IAMD capability to defend against evolving sea-based threats. Additionally, this integration gives the Aegis Weapon System and warfighter more defense capability layers and increased flexibility from a missile inventory standpoint.
This integration speaks to the importance of integrating existing, proven technologies to deliver new capabilities across the services rapidly. Lockheed Martin is leading the industry shift to a mission-centric approach to integrate existing platforms to improve effectiveness and deterrent value.
Earlier this year, In partnership with multiple Department of Defense Services and Components, Lockheed Martin launched a PAC-3 MSE interceptor from a vertical MK-70 containerized launch platform to engage a cruise missile target in flight.
This mission marked multiple first-time events including the first time PAC-3 MSE integrated with Aegis to intercept a live target and the first time PAC-3 MSE launched in a vertical configuration.
To prepare for this test, Lockheed Martin internally invested in technology enhancements to ensure missile compatibility with the vertical configuration. These adjustments to the missile are crucial steps toward full integration with Aegis.
This flight test is the largest milestone we’ve had thus far and sets our team up for future flight tests.
We aim to build a more advanced, resilient and collaborative defense industry - working with our industry and commercial partners to deliver more cutting-edge capabilities faster and more affordably to our customers.
The PAC-3 MSE program has continuously ramped up production since full-rate production in 2018. Currently, the PAC-3 program is continuing to increase capacity to meet the demand across the globe.
Lockheed Martin advanced funds to increase capacity to 650 PAC-3 MSEs per year, an expansion from the previous target of 550 per year.
Only with more advanced, modernized solutions and a more robust and resilient industrial base, will our customers be ready for what’s ahead, with an agile, adaptive, and unpredictable counter to our adversaries’ moves. This is what 21st Century Security aims to accomplish.