Naomi Cooper
Lockheed Martin has demonstrated the ability of its Patriot Advanced Capability‑3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor to intercept a live target using the U.S. Navy’s virtualized Aegis Weapon System at the company’s White Sands Missile Range facility in New Mexico.
During the flight test, the PAC-3 MSE missile was fired from an MK-70 containerized launch platform and targeted a cruise missile, showcasing its capacity to defend against advanced missile threats, Lockheed said.
Tom Copeman, vice president of strategy and naval programs at Lockheed, said the PAC-3 MSE missile and the virtualized Aegis Weapon System could deliver a proven integrated air and missile defense capability to the U.S.
PAC-3 uses a two-pulse solid rocket motor and Hit-to-Kill technology to engage ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missile threats.
