Lockheed Martin on Friday unveiled the PAC-3 Edge, a missile interceptor designed to defend against hypersonic and advanced missile threats. The company said the new interceptor incorporates a new seeker, upgraded flight controls and a multi-pulse rocket motor supplied by Northrop Grumman, enhancing its ability to counter advanced threats at longer ranges and higher altitudes.
The unveiling comes as the U.S. military looks to strengthen its capabilities against emerging aerial threats. Growing demand for air and missile defense systems amid conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East has strained U.S. weapons stockpiles, prompting the U.S. Army to award Lockheed Martin a contract worth up to $58.6 billion in July to ramp up production of PAC-3 interceptors.
Tim Cahill, president of missiles and fire control at Lockheed Martin, told Reuters that the cost of the PAC-3 Edge “would be about that of the existing PAC-3 MSE.” He added that at full production, the annual rate would be about 2,000 units a year, comparable with PAC-3 MSE.
In January, Lockheed Martin signed a seven-year framework agreement with the Pentagon to expand production of its PAC-3 missile interceptors, aiming to increase annual manufacturing capacity to 2,000 units from about 600.
Context
The PAC-3 Edge is positioned as a direct response to the growing hypersonic threat, representing a key upgrade to a core U.S. Army air defense system. The company’s stated goal is to maintain production capacity comparable to the existing PAC-3 MSE while delivering enhanced capabilities against advanced threats.
Sources: Defense News · Army Times