DALLAS, March 3 (UPI) -- An enhanced version of Lockheed Martin's Patriot Advanced Capability missile has successfully intercepted an incoming missile for the second time.
The intercept of a threat representative tactical ballistic missile target by the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement weapon took place Tuesday at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
"We continue to test the PAC-3 MSE missile at higher altitudes and against more challenging targets and it continues to meet expectations," said Richard McDaniel, director of PAC-3 Missile Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "We look forward to delivering this important enhanced capability to the warfighter in the near future."
The MSE missile provides increased performance, greater altitude and range than the PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative Missile and incorporates threat-driven and technology-enabled hardware and software upgrades.
The missile is packaged in a single canister that stacks to provide flexibility for the Patriot or Medium Extended Air Defense System launcher load-out requirements.
Lockheed said the PAC-3 MSE Missile was selected as the primary interceptor for the multinational MEADS in September 2006.
The MEADS program completed Critical Design Review in 2010 and is integrating and testing the radars, launchers, tactical operation centers and reloaders needed for system tests at White Sands Missile Range in 2012.
