Bloomberg reports: Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new version of the Patriot intercept missile.
Lockheed Martin has introduced a next-generation interceptor missile designed to surpass the capabilities of the current most advanced Patriot variant. The U.S. Army is seeking to enhance its air defense capacity in response to increasingly complex threats, including hypersonic missiles.
The new interceptor, named PAC-3 Edge, builds upon the PAC-3 MSE (Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement) platform.
PAC-3 MSE has been widely deployed for defending against missile attacks targeting Ukraine and Iran.
Tim Cahill, head of Lockheed Martin’s missile systems division, stated that testing is expected to begin in 2027, with potential fielding by 2031.
The new missile features an upgraded guidance system. While the seeker for PAC-3 MSE is supplied by Boeing, the new variant will incorporate a solid rocket motor developed by Northrop Grumman.
The upgrade aims to increase missile speed and maneuverability, enabling it to intercept targets at higher altitudes and greater ranges compared to other PAC-3 series variants.
The new weapon is compatible with existing U.S. Army command and control systems and current Patriot launchers. It may also be integrated with the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in the future.
This development will further expand the anti-missile arsenal. Another lower-cost variant, PAC-3 ACE, is also under development, with an estimated cost roughly half that of PAC-3 MSE, which is priced at $4 million. Demand for U.S. Department of Defense missile defense systems continues to grow, prompting expanded production capacity.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1878661592331456/
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