Lockheed Martin has received a $611 million contract from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command for the first production order of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) following the Army's successful Milestone C decision earlier this year. The contract includes the production of both PAC-3 MSE missiles and Launcher Modifications Kits (LMKs).

The PAC-3 MSE's revolutionary two-pulse solid rocket motor provides increased performance in both altitude and range - while employing the same proven hit-to-kill technology that the PAC-3 Missile uniquely brings to the Patriot system.

In 2003, Lockheed Martin received a contract to increase the altitude and range of the PAC-3 missile. The missile received the larger, more powerful dual-pulse motor for added thrust, along with larger fins and other structural modifications for more agility.

The larger fins collapse to allow the missile to fit into the current PAC-3 launcher, and give the interceptor more maneuverability against faster and more sophisticated ballistic and cruise missiles.

The launcher modification kits enable the Patriot Configuration 3 launcher to control and launch the hit-to-kill PAC-3 Missiles, as well as heritage Patriot missiles.

"These enhancements are the natural, pre-planned evolution of a system that was first demonstrated 20 years ago," said Scott Arnold, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "Every current Patriot-using nation is a candidate to upgrade their PAC-3 systems to the PAC-3 MSE."