Overview
- Lockheed Martin’s new Navy contract, announced Tuesday at the Sea-Air-Space symposium, launches work to bring the PAC-3 MSE Patriot interceptor to sea for the first time, with some reports citing a $200 million value.
- Lockheed says a land-based trial is planned for early 2027, with the first ship deploying the capability in 2028 once initial operational capability is reached.
- To fit the Aegis Combat System and its Mk 41 vertical launchers, the effort will change the missile’s command-guidance radio, adapt its launch canister, and update software on both the missile and Aegis.
- The push aligns with a wider production surge, including a Defense Department deal reported at $4.7 billion to grow annual PAC-3 MSE output from about 600 to as many as 2,000 by 2030, and a Navy request for 405 missiles in its FY2027 budget.
- Officials describe PAC-3 MSE as battle-tested against ballistic, cruise, and hypersonic threats in Europe and the Middle East, though each interceptor costs about $4 million, which has raised cost concerns when countering cheaper drones.