Article Posted on : - Jan 13, 2013

DALLAS (BNS): Lockheed Martin has received a contract worth $755 million to produce the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile systems and associated equipment for the US Army and Taiwan.

The contract includes Fiscal Year 2013 missile and command launch system production for the US Army and a follow-on sale of the PAC-3 missile to Taiwan, the company announced on January 10.

Under the contract, it will produce a total of 168 PAC-3 missiles, 27 launcher modification kits and associated tooling, as well as programme management and services.

This is the 14th production buy of the PAC-3 missile segment by the US Government, Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor on the PAC-3 missile segment upgrade to the Patriot air defence system, said.

The long-range PAC-3 surface-to-air missile system is capable of tracking and shooting down incoming missiles. Equipped with a 'hit-to-kill' interceptor, the missile can take on tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.

In 2009, Taiwan became the fifth international customer for the PAC-3 missile.