PAC-3 MSE interceptor achieves IOC
The US Army has declared initial operational capability (IOC) for the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor, Lockheed Martin announced on 16 August.
The PAC-3 MSE uses hit-to-kill technology to defend against incoming threats such as aircraft, cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles. The MSE features larger fins, dual-pulse solid rocket motor and other structural modifications which almost double the PAC-3’s reach along with enhancing its performance against evolving threats.
Scott Arnold, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said: ‘PAC-3 MSE reaching IOC is important because it gives our soldiers an operational capability against imminent threats.’
PAC-3 was selected by the US Army to increase the intercept capability of its heritage Patriot system against tactical ballistic missiles. Lockheed Martin received the contract for increasing the range and altitude of the PAC-3 in 2003. The PAC-3 MSE received Milestone C early in 2014, and the company got its first contract in the same year.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Eurosatory 2026 roundup: uncrewed, counter-uncrewed and new vehicles define direction]()
Eurosatory 2026 roundup: uncrewed, counter-uncrewed and new vehicles define direction
Uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems were a major feature of this edition of Eurosatory 2026 along with programme updates and first sight of new main battle tanks.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: As MGCS stalls, has Europe’s new MBT been unveiled?]()
Eurosatory 2026: As MGCS stalls, has Europe’s new MBT been unveiled?
Eurosatory 2026 saw a number of main battle tanks on display, including two new platforms which could be the future of European tanks.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MARSS and parent company EOS expand air defence capability]()
Eurosatory 2026: MARSS and parent company EOS expand air defence capability
MARSS became part of EOS Defence earlier this year, bringing together the former’s C2 NiDAR and Nation Shield air defence products with the latter’s suite of effectors and sensors.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Pearson Engineering to send AI mine detecting systems into Ukraine]()
Eurosatory 2026: Pearson Engineering to send AI mine detecting systems into Ukraine
Pearson Engineering’s Threat-Sense system is designed to use imaging from drones to geolocate scattered mines and support uncrewed systems in defeating the threats.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Milrem expands partnerships as it outlines NATO eastern flank defence plans]()
Eurosatory 2026: Milrem expands partnerships as it outlines NATO eastern flank defence plans
In the past three months Milrem Robotics has signed cooperation agreements with Hanwha, EOS Defence Systems and Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) and at Eurosatory 2026 with CNIM Systèmes Industriels and Frankenburg Technologies. The deals come as the company develops its Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative.
