Login
iscover
The US Navy working with Lockheed Martin is a step closer to the successful integration of the Patriot Advanced Capability – 3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor with the AN/SPY-1 Radar, a central component in the Aegis Weapon System.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
Lockheed Martin is investing in a PAC-3 MSE/Aegis integration that could deliver a proven, integrated air and missile defence capability with the growing capacity to help maritime customers defend against advanced, manoeuvrable threats across the maritime, air, and space domains respectively.
Tom Copeman, vice-president, Naval Systems, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, welcomed this announcement, saying, “This successful test is a major step forward to fully integrate PAC-3 MSE into the Aegis Weapon System. A PAC-3 MSE/Aegis integration delivers a hardened defence to maritime fleets on an affordable, rapid timeline.”
As part of the integration process, Lockheed Martin had to modify the PAC-3 MSE Radio Frequency Data Link to communicate with the SPY-1 radar, the central radar system of the Aegis combat system installed aboard the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke Class destroyers and Australia’s Hobart Class destroyers.
SPY-1 operates on an S-band frequency, which required Lockheed Martin to convert PAC-3 MSE’s existing dual-band datalink to a tri-band datalink to communicate at S-band.
PAC-3 MSE’s unmatched hit-to-kill capabilities defends against advanced threats including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. Currently, the PAC-3 MSE program is ramping up to 550 MSEs a year, with plans to continue growing.
