Lockheed Martin reaches air defense missile production milestone

Lockheed Martin recently announced that efforts to accelerate the production of its most advanced air defense missile have resulted in a milestone achievement.

Citing response to a government request last year, Lockheed Martin said it has completed production of its 1000th PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor.

“We continue to see strong demand for PAC-3 MSE around the world and are committed to producing as efficiently as we can to ensure our customers have our unique missile defense technology to deter even the most advanced threats,” Brenda Davidson, Lockheed Martin’s vice president of PAC-3 Programs, said.

The firm incrementally increased PAC-3 MSE production numbers since reaching a full rate production decision three years ago and anticipates increasing yearly production of 500 PAC-3 MSEs by 2024.

Lockheed Martin said the increased capacity would be partly supported by an 85,000-square-foot building expansion at the Camden, Arkansas, facility expected to begin production operations in the second quarter of 2022.

The PAC-3 MSE possesses a dual-pulse solid rocket motor, which Lockheed Martin noted provides an increased performance in altitude and range to defend incoming threats that include tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft.

Lockheed Martin said the company is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services.