Lockheed Martin delivers 1,000th PAC-3 missile to the US Army
Lockheed Martin delivered the 1,000th Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile to the US Army last week during a ceremony at its state-of-the-art PAC-3 Missile production facility in Camden, AR. PAC-3 Missiles are combat-proven and deployed globally.
In addition to the United States, five US allies have included the PAC-3 Missile in their air and missile defense arsenals. Last year, Taiwan became the fifth international customer for the PAC-3 Missile, joining The Netherlands, Germany, Japan and the United Arab Emirates.
The PAC-3 system provides hit-to-kill accuracy, and for me in the field to have four times the capability and 16 missiles on a launcher means I have the ability to call this system up against very formidable threats, said Brig. Gen. Roger Mathews, commandant Air Defense Artillery School at Fort Sill, OK.
We proudly celebrate this accomplishment, along with our customers and the 225 suppliers across 25 states that remain focused on delivering the PAC-3 Missile on time and on budget, said Richard McDaniel, director of PAC-3 Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. This production milestone reaffirms our commitment to providing the worlds most advanced terminal air defense missile that serves our Warfighters and our allies around the world in their defining moments.
Lockheed Martin achieved the first-ever hit-to-kill intercept in 1984 with the Homing Overlay Experiment, using force of impact alone to destroy a mock warhead outside of the Earths atmosphere. Further testing produced todays PAC-3 Missile, which won a competition in 1993 to become the first hit-to-kill interceptor produced by the US government.
The hit-to-kill PAC-3 Missile is the worlds most advanced, capable and powerful terminal air defense missile. It defeats the entire threat: tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs) carrying weapons of mass destruction, advanced cruise missiles and aircraft.
Source: Lockheed Martin
More from Land Warfare
-
Rheinmetall KF41 Lynx fighting vehicles set for first taste of combat in Ukraine
A June 2024 agreement with Ukraine for Rheinmetall to provide 10 KF41s along with the establishment of a manufacturing facility in the country has moved a step closer, with the factory now built and a contract signed.
-
Germany increases Arrow missile defence deal to $6.1 billion as American interest grows
Germany’s move to buy Israel Aerospace Industries’ Arrow missile defence system became public in mid-2023 with approval from the US government shortly after. The first operational system is expected to be in service before 2030.
-
Sweden’s recent air defence spend tips to $6 billion with 2026 procurement planned
Procurement of various short-range systems will begin in the first quarter of 2026, with additional procurements to be made later in the year.
-
Serbia looks to balance lighter platforms and heavier calibres
Even small tactical vehicles can benefit from more powerful offensive and defensive armament, but as recent developments at Yugoimport demonstrate, there are still limitations to the sophistication of what can be fielded.