Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 missile successfully detected, tracked and intercepted a tactical ballistic missile (TBM) in a lower tier project office flight test recently at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

Two PAC-3 missiles were ripple-fired in the test per current doctrine. The first interceptor destroyed the target and the second PAC-3 missile self-destructed as planned. Mission objectives were focused on reducing risk for a flight test of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) scheduled later this year.

“Today’s flight test provided us the opportunity to demonstrate the PAC-3 Missile against a challenging TBM target,” said Richard McDaniel, Vice President of PAC-3 Missile programmes at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “Our preliminary data indicate that all objectives were achieved.”

The PAC-3 and MSE Missiles are two of the world’s most advanced, capable and reliable theatre air defence missiles. They defeat tactical ballistic and air breathing targets. As the most technologically advanced missile for the Patriot air defence system, PAC-3 significantly increases the Patriot system’s firepower, allowing 16 PAC-3 Missiles to be loaded in place of just four legacy Patriot PAC-2 missiles on the launcher.