Under a new U.S. Dept. of Defense award, Lockheed Martin has been authorized to increase production capacity for Patriot Advanced Capability- (PAC-3®) Missile Segment Enhancements (MSEs) to 650 units annually. The Patriot missile system is a mobile surface-to-air interceptor system for anti-ballistic missile defense manufactured by Lockheed, as well as Boeing and Raytheon.
The value of the award is indeterminate but based on a reported unit cost of $4 million per PAC-3 MSE, the additional capacity could have an estimated value of $2.6 billion/year for the manufacturer. According to Lockheed, since March it has increased PAC-3 MSE output to record highs for missile production. In 2024, production has grown by more than 30% – more than 500 units will be produced this year, a new high – with another 20% growth planned for next year.
The PAC-3 is the latest version of the Patriot interceptor missile system developed for “direct body-to-body contact” with incoming ballistic threats; it “delivers exponentially more kinetic energy on the target than can be achieved with blast-fragmentation mechanisms,” according to the developer.
Lockheed called the new award “a vital step in significant efforts to meet the global demand for the world’s most advanced missile,” an apparent reference to the conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Last summer, the Biden Administration approved a new sale of Patriot missile systems to Ukraine to defend against ongoing attacks on its power systems and infrastructure.
“Demand for PAC-3 MSE’s combat-proven deterrence capabilities continues to grow at a rapid pace,” stated Brian Kubik, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
“To meet the increased demand, Lockheed Martin started this effort with internal funding more than a year ago to expand the PAC-3 MSE production capacity, both in our factories and across the supply chain. We are also investing to implement lean, agile processes to deliver this critical product to our partners more efficiently,” Kubik added.
