Lockheed's PAC-3 missile destroys ballistic missile targets in test

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M., Sept. 22 (UPI) -- Two Lockheed Martin PAC-3 missiles successfully intercepted two tactical ballistic missile targets during a flight test Wednesday, the company announced.

The U.S. Army-led defense flight test at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., demonstrated the hit-to-kill interceptor's ability to detect, track and destroy an incoming threat, Lockheed said in a statement.

The PAC-3 missile is a high-velocity interceptor that defends against incoming threats that include tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft.

It employs hit-to-kill technology, which destroys targets through kinetic energy in body-to-body contact.

PAC-3 is used by the United States, The Netherlands, Germany, Japan, United Arab Emirates and Taiwan.

Lockheed is also on contract for the system with Kuwait, Qatar, South Korea and Saudi Arabia.