Lockheed Martin [LMT] said Thursday it conducted a successful PAC-3 Missile flight test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., where PAC-3 successfully detected, tracked and intercepted an aerodynamic, threat-representative tactical ballistic missile target.
The ripple fire engagement of two PAC-3 Missiles resulted in the first interceptor destroying the target. The second PAC-3 Missile self-destructed on command as planned.
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| Photo by Lockheed Martin. |
“The PAC-3 Missile continues to deliver proven, reliable performance along with unmatched lethality,” said Richard McDaniel, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. “The capability PAC-3 provides continues to draw significant interest from a number of international customers.”
Lockheed Martin recently received a $308 million contract for continued production of the PAC-3 Missile for the United States and Kuwait. The Fiscal Year 2013 contract includes missile and command launch system production for the U.S. Army and a first time Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of the PAC-3 Missile to Kuwait. Kuwait becomes the sixth international customer for the PAC-3 Missile.
Lockheed Martin is prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment of the Patriot air defense system. Raytheon [RTN] is the Patriot Weapon prime contractor.
The PAC-3 missile defends against advanced tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft. PAC-3 increases the air defense system’s firepower, as 16 PAC-3 missiles can be loaded in place of four legacy Patriot PAC-2 missiles on the Patriot launcher.