Article Posted on : - Nov 02, 2011

PAC-3 Missile Test. Lockheed Martin Photo.

DALLAS (BNS): Lockheed Martin successfully test- fired a PAC-3 Missile on Tuesday at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico.

In the flight test, the missile detected, tracked and intercepted an aerodynamic tactical ballistic missile.

The test included a ripple fire engagement, utilizing a PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) Missile as the first interceptor and a PAC-3 Baseline Missile as the second interceptor. The CRI Missile includes block upgrades to the PAC-3 Baseline Missile for performance improvement.

"This flight test success completes the validation of PAC-3's latest software and hardware updates as we continue to provide this extremely capable hit-to-kill weapon to the war-fighter," Richard McDaniel, PAC-3 Programmes vice president in Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business said.

The PAC-3 Missile is one of the world's most advanced, capable and reliable theater air defence missiles. It defeats advanced tactical ballistic and cruise missiles, and fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

As the most technologically advanced missile for the PATRIOT air defence system, PAC-3 significantly increases the PATRIOT system's firepower, as 16 PAC-3s can be loaded in place of only four legacy PATRIOT PAC-2 missiles on the PATRIOT launcher.