Lockheed Martin [LMT] recently conducted successful tactical ballistic missile interception tests for two of its PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) interceptors, the company said March 6.
The latest tests were the 10th and 11th successful intercepts in the last six years conducted under the Army’s Field Surveillance Program to ensure PAC-3 CRI readiness.
“PAC-3 continues to be successful against today’s evolving threats, and it remains the only combat proven Hit-to-Kill interceptor in the world,” Jay Pitman, vice president of PAC-3 programs for Lockheed Martin’s missiles & fire control division, said in a statement. “Today’s global security environment demands reliable solutions. We expect PAC-3 interceptors to continue serving as an essential element in integrated, layered defense systems.”
The periodic tests demonstrate the PAC-3’s reliability for detecting and intercepting incoming ballistic missiles, and defending against attacks with body-to-body impact.
Army officials and representatives from current and potential foreign military sales PAC-3 customers were on hand at the White Sands Missile Range, N.M., for the latest tests.
In addition to the U.S., PAC-3 customers include Germany, Kuwait, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Romania, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.