Lockheed Martin, the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the U.S. Army have further integrated the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor into the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System - resulting in a more tightly integrated, layered missile defense system.

During a test, the THAAD system successfully launched a PAC-3 MSE to intercept a tactical ballistic missile target using proven Hit-to-Kill technology without the support of a Patriot fire unit, yielding greater flexibility for the warfighter. Integration into the THAAD Weapon System allows the PAC-3 MSE to launch earlier, enabling a longer flyout and the full use of the MSE's kinematic capability.

"This integration is another Lockheed Martin contribution to joint all-domain operations and offers a critical capability in 21st century security that gives the warfighter more options with existing equipment so they can choose the best interceptor for any threat they face," said Scott Arnold, vice president, Integrated Air and Missile Defense at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

The test also validates the flexibility of our PAC-3 missiles, which have now successfully launched from THAAD, Patriot and the U.S. Army's Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) in flight tests.

Several flight tests led to today's integration of PAC-3 MSE within THAAD. In a 2020 flight test, a PAC-3 MSE intercepted a target using data provided by THAAD. In an earlier test this year, the THAAD Weapon System launched a PAC-3 MSE interceptor against a virtual threat, demonstrating the successful integration of the PAC-3 MSE interceptor into the THAAD system.

THAAD is the only U.S. system designed for endo-and exo-battlespace, using Hit-to-Kill technology to execute its lethal aim-point accuracy to intercept a threat with direct impact.

PAC-3 MSE is an evolution of the battle-proven PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) and also uses Hit-to-Kill technology to defend against threats through direct body-to-body contact that delivers exponentially more kinetic energy on the target than can be achieved with blast-fragmentation mechanisms.

Related Links
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
Learn about missile defense at SpaceWar.com
Learn about nuclear weapons doctrine and defense at SpaceWar.com
All about missiles at SpaceWar.com
Learn about the Superpowers of the 21st Century at SpaceWar.com

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MDA and US Army test integration of THAAD and Patriot missile defense
Washington DC (SPX) Mar 30, 2022
The Missile Defense Agency, in partnership with the U.S. Army Program Executive Office Missiles and Space, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, and Ballistic Missile Defense System Operational Test Agency, successfully conducted a flight test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Weapon System. The test, designated Flight Test THAAD Weapon System (FTT)-21, was conducted at the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. Preliminary results indicate that flight test objectives were ... read more