Article Posted on : - Aug 30, 2012

PAC-3 Missile. Photo: Lockheed Martin.

DALLAS (BNS): Lockheed Martin's Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missile has successfully destroyed a tactical ballistic missile (TBM) in an Operational Test conducted by the US Army Test and Evaluation Command.

The test carried out on Wednesday at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, involved three incoming targets; two Patriot-As-A-Target TBMs and one MQM-107 drone target.

A ripple launch of two PAC-3 Missiles successfully engaged the second TBM. Preliminary data indicate all test objectives were achieved, a Company statement said.

Three additional PAC-3 tests are scheduled for the second half of 2012, including flight tests that will demonstrate the Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) capability in both the Patriot and MEADS systems, it said.

"The PAC-3 Missile continues to perform as expected under very stressing conditions," said Richard McDaniel, vice president of PAC-3 Missile programmes in Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business.

"This was our third consecutive successful PAC-3 Missile flight test this year. With each successful test, the PAC-3 Missile adds to its legacy of proven performance."

Lockheed Martin is producing the PAC-3 missile under production contracts from the US Army Air and Missile Defence Programme Executive Office and multiple international customers. The PAC-3 Missile is being incorporated into the Patriot air defence system.