According to a company press release, the US Army awarded Lockheed Martin a remarkable $9.8 billion contract to produce 1,970 PATRIOT Advanced Capability – 3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) interceptors and associated hardware.

This marks the largest contract in Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control history and demonstrates the threat perception switch and the new “demand for and trust in this advanced, precise and proven” weapon system.

As highlighted by Jason Reynolds, Vice President and General Manager of Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin, the "PAC-3 MSE’s recent combat performance solidified it as a must-have capability for America and its allies around the world." He added that "with this contract, they’ll be delivering record numbers of PAC-3 MSE for years to come, ensuring our customers have the advanced missile defense solutions they need to defend what matters most.”

According to Lockheed Martin, the company is continuing to enhance PAC-3 production to meet the worldwide increased demand. The company is expected to deliver 600 interceptors in 2025 for the first time (the highest). This is a result of the company’s proactive steps to start the production ramp with significant internal investments to increase PAC-3 MSE production rates almost 2 years ahead of contract award.

The PAC-3 MSE, the last addition to the PATRIOT family, is able to defend against incoming threats through direct body-to-body contact, delivering more kinetic energy on the target than can be achieved with blast fragmentation mechanisms. The interceptor is combat proven against ballistic missile, cruise missile, hypersonic and airborne threats. 17 partner nations, including the US, have chosen PAC-3 to defend against incoming threats. The MSE version is fitted with upgraded capabilities, including a two-pulse solid rocket motor, to enhance its performance in altitude and range.

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