The battle-proven PAC-3 Missile is the world's only fielded hit-to-kill, kinetic energy air defense missile.

In the dual engagement test, two PAC-3 Missiles were "ripple-fired" at an incoming Patriot-As-A-Target (PAAT) TBM, a legacy Patriot missile modified to represent a short-range TBM.

In a second simultaneous engagement, a single PAC-3 Missile was fired at a low-flying MQM-107D cruise missile target. Preliminary data indicates both the TBM target and cruise missile target were destroyed. All test objectives were met.

"This was an outstanding demonstration of the ability of the PAC-3 Missile to defeat the entire threat to the Patriot system," said Steve Graham, vice president - PAC-3 Missile program for Lockheed Martin.

"This was our fifth successful "ripple-fire" of PAC-3 Missiles against TBMs, both in flight testing and in combat. These tests continue to prove that PAC-3 can effectively protect deployed troops and other high-value assets from a variety of contemporary threats."

Test objectives included demonstrating the system's ability to detect, track and engage a TBM and cruise missile simultaneously, and validating the performance of several components of the PAC-3 Missile that were part of on- going cost reduction initiatives.

These include an Advanced Master Frequency Generator (AMFG), Multi-Band Radio Frequency Data Link (MRFDL) and a Simplified Inertial Measurement Unit (SIMU).

"We demonstrated several upgraded components during today's flights," Graham added. "These improvements add greater functionality to the system while reducing overall missile cost."

The 'hit-to-kill' PAC-3 Missile is the world's most advanced, capable and powerful theater air defense missile. It defeats the entire threat to the Patriot Air Defense System: tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs) carrying weapons of mass destruction, advanced cruise missiles and aircraft.

PAC-3 Missiles significantly increase the Patriot system's firepower, since 16 PAC-3s load-out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four of the older Patriot PAC-2 missiles.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system.

The PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the PAC-3 Missile, a highly agile hit-to-kill interceptor, the PAC-3 Missile canisters (in four packs), a Fire Solution Computer and an Enhanced Launcher Electronics System.

These elements are being integrated into the Patriot system, a high to medium altitude, long- range air defense missile system providing air defense of ground combat forces and high-value assets.

The PAC-3 Missile has been selected as the primary interceptor for the multi-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS).

Managed by the NATO MEADS Management Agency (NAMEADSMA), MEADS is a model transatlantic development program focused on the next generation of air and missile defense.

MEADS will focus on risk reduction, application of key technologies and validation of a system design incorporating the PAC-3 Missile as the prime interceptor.

The Patriot PAC-3 program is managed by the US Army and executed by the Army Program Executive Office, Air, Space and Missile Defense and the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Project Office in Huntsville, AL.

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