Made in Arkansas: U.S. Army successfully tests a Lockheed Martin Patriot missile

Defense contractor Aerojet Rocketdyne is proudly touting that its Arkansas-made rocket propulsion systems recently powered a Lockheed Martin-built Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Segment Enhancement missile to successfully intercept an incoming ballistic projectile target.

The U.S. Army-led missile defense test was staged last week at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. Although one PAC-3 MSE missile was launched and successfully intercepted the incoming target, this mission was the seventh guided flight test for the MSE interceptor where a target simulating a tactical ballistic missile was intercepted in the MSE extended battlespace.

“(This) successful intercept test further validated the advanced capabilities of the high-performance MSE and its ability to effectively counter increasingly complex missile threat scenarios,” said Aerojet Rocketdyne President and CEO Eileen Drake. “The hit-to-kill accuracy and extended range of the interceptor provides our warfighters with greater assurance against the proliferation of threats around the world. Aerojet Rocketdyne is proud to play such an important role in empowering and protecting our troops with the most advanced technology available.”

The PAC-3 MSE program significantly expands the reach and capability of the already proven PAC-3 missile by giving the high-velocity interceptor more range and maneuverability. Aerojet Rocketdyne’s MSE propulsion system, produced at the company’s Camden workforce, is an advanced rocket motor that provides energy management as a key element of the expanded interceptor capability.

Aerojet Rocketdyne also provides 180 attitude control motors used on each PAC-3 MSE interceptor for flyout maneuvering and hit-to-kill agility, as well as an advanced lethality enhancer for the MSE interceptor.

In late 2015, Lockheed Martin officials announced that United States and allied military forces will upgrade their missile defense capabilities under a new $1.1 billion contract for production and delivery of Lockheed Martin PAC-3 missiles and PAC-3 Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) missiles.

The contract includes PAC-3 and PAC-3 MSE interceptor deliveries for the U.S. Army, and foreign military sales of PAC-3 interceptors, launcher modification kits, associated equipment and spares for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Republic of Korea and Qatar.

The PAC-3 Missile is a high-velocity interceptor that defends against incoming threats including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft. PAC-3 provides missile defense capabilities for six nations – the U.S., the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, United Arab Emirates and Taiwan. In addition to the three countries included under this contract, Lockheed Martin is also under contract with Kuwait.

The next-generation PAC-3 MSE missile, which has increases the range and mobility of the combat proven PAC-3, uses a two-pulse solid rocket motor that increases altitude and range to meet evolving threats.