• Forum
• SITREP
• Military
• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security

• Space

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• Public Eye

PAC-3 Missile Intercepts Tactical Ballistic Missile

DALLAS, TX, February 5th, 2000 -- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas, the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Army conducted another successful flight of a Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) Missile at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., this morning. The PAC-3 Missile intercepted and destroyed an incoming tactical ballistic missile. Preliminary test data indicate all other test objectives were successfully achieved.

"We continue to see hit after hit for the PAC-3 Missile," said Mike Trotsky, vice president - air defense programs for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas. "The PAC-3 Missile continues to prove itself, and the PAC-3 Missile's hit-to-kill technology keeps performing just as anticipated."

The PAC-3 Missile is a high velocity, hit-to-kill missile and is the next generation Patriot missile being developed to provide increased capability against advanced theater ballistic missile, cruise missile and hostile aircraft. The PAC-3 Missile kills incoming targets by direct, body-to-body impact. The PAC-3 Missiles, when deployed in a Patriot battery, will effectively double the Patriot system's firepower, since sixteen PAC-3 Missiles load-out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four Patriot missiles.

The PAC-3 Missile has had five consecutive successful engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) test flights since 1997. The first two EMD missions were successfully conducted with special instrumentation packages in place of the full-up PAC-3 Missile seeker. The missions were structured to verify critical systems and missile performance prior to conducting target intercept flight tests. The first PAC-3 Missile target intercept flight was on March 15, 1999. The second followed on September 16, 1999. Contracts totaling $143 million for PAC-3 Missile Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP), special hardware and long lead-time items were awarded to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas in December 1999.

In addition to the five successful PAC-3 Missile EMD flight tests, the PAC-3's predecessor missile, the Extended-Range Interceptor, demonstrated three hits in a row during the demonstration/validation program in 1994. Two of those tests involved TBM targets and one involved an air-breathing target (simulating a cruise missile or aircraft).

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas is the prime contractor responsible for the PAC-3 Missile segment upgrade, which consists of the PAC-3 Missile, missile canisters (in four-packs), the Fire Solution Computer and the Enhanced Launcher Electronics System.

The PAC-3 Missile is a high velocity, hit-to-kill missile and is the next generation Patriot missile being developed to provide increased capability against advanced theater ballistic missile, cruise missile and hostile aircraft. The PAC-3 Missile kills incoming targets by direct, body-to-body impact. The PAC-3 Missiles, when deployed in a Patriot battery, will significantly increase the Patriot system's firepower, since 16 PAC-3 Missiles load-out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four Patriot missiles.

Located in Dallas and Orlando, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control develops, manufactures and supports advanced combat, missile, rocket and space systems. The company is organized in seven program/mission areas: Strike Weapons, Air Defense, Anti-Armor, Naval Munitions, Fire Control and Sensors, Fire Support and Product Development. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is headed by President James F. Berry.

Craig Vanbebber, 972-603-1615
e-mail craig.vanbebber@lmco.com