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Lockheed Martin has announced the successful engagement and interception of an advanced medium range ballistic missile (MRBM) target at the US military’s Kwajalein Atoll testing area.
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This test is the first in a series of flight tests designed to validate software updates that will be deployed across fielded batteries as part of the next Patriot software release.
Brenda Davidson, vice-president of PAC-3 Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control said, “Software updates like this improve performance against evolving threats and are critical to ensuring PAC-3 MSE keeps our customers ahead of our adversaries."
The PAC-3 MSE is an evolution of the battle-proven PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI), boasts a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, providing increased performance in altitude and range to defend against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft.
“We continue to invest in PAC-3 enhancements to enable a robust defensive capability for our customers around the world,” Davidson added.
The Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept of Target (PATRIOT) missile system protects ground forces and critical assets at all echelons from advanced aircraft, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles (TBM). The PATRIOT Advanced Capability – 3 (PAC-3) is the US Army’s premier guided air and missile defence (AMD) system providing highly reactive hit-to-kill capability in both range and altitude while operating in all environments.
The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE), fielded in 2015, represents the next generation PAC-3 missile and provides expanded battlespace performance against evolving threats.
The PAC-3 MSE improves upon the original PAC-3 capability with a higher performance solid rocket motor, modified lethality enhancer, more responsive control surfaces, upgraded guidance software and insensitive munitions improvements.
