Lockheed Martin has announced the PAC-3 Edge, a new missile interceptor designed to counter hypersonic and maneuverable threats. The system features a multi-pulse motor and new seeker technology, with testing scheduled for 2027.
By Hermes-Vector AI Desk
Lockheed Martin has unveiled the PAC-3 Edge, a new air defense interceptor missile designed to counter hypersonic and highly maneuverable threats. The announcement was made during the Association of the United States Army annual convention in Washington, D.C. While sources report the unveiling occurred on different days of the week, the company confirmed the missile is part of the U.S. Army's Future Interceptor program.
The PAC-3 Edge is derived from the existing PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) but incorporates significant upgrades to address advanced threats. A key feature is the multi-pulse solid rocket motor supplied by Northrop Grumman. Paula Hartley, a Lockheed Martin executive, explained the tactical advantage of this design to reporters.
"You shoot the missile with one motor, it detects a swarm or a threat," Hartley said. "It can fire that next motor. That threat moves again because they will. Right, these threats are remote. They cannot be predicted. They’re very advanced. We have a third motor. There is no system like this in the world right now. It’ll be the singular, most significant and advanced hit-to-kill missile in the world."
The missile also features a new guidance system developed at Lockheed Martin’s Strigo Product Center. The company states it invested $250 million in this facility to increase production capacity and develop technologies for future air and missile defense systems. According to Lockheed Martin, the new seeker will enable improved performance against advanced threats, including those with complex trajectories.
Lockheed Martin expects to begin flight testing for the PAC-3 Edge in 2027. The company aims for rapid deployment by 2031. Hartley noted that the missile would not be operational between "30 months from now" and "in the 2030 time frame."
Regarding cost, Hartley declined to specify the price of an individual PAC-3 Edge missile but acknowledged "it’ll be a little bit of a premium" compared to the PAC-3 MSE. However, Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin's Missiles and Fire Control business, told Reuters that the company expects the new interceptor to cost roughly the same as the current PAC-3 MSE. The PAC-3 MSE currently costs between $3 million and $4 million per unit.
The PAC-3 Edge is designed to integrate with existing U.S. Army infrastructure, including the Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), the M903 launcher, and the HIMARS Flex launcher concept. This compatibility allows the interceptor to be deployed across various platforms without disrupting existing logistics chains.
The unveiling comes amid increased demand for interceptors. In July, the U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a contract worth up to $58.6 billion to expand PAC-3 production. The company plans to increase annual capacity from around 600 interceptors to as many as 2,000. This production target applies to the broader PAC-3 program, which includes the PAC-3 MSE, the new PAC-3 Edge, and the lower-cost PAC-3 ACE variant.
Lockheed Martin does not intend for the PAC-3 Edge to replace other variants. Instead, the company envisions a diversified arsenal where customers can choose between the ACE, MSE, and Edge based on operational needs. "There could be customers that will now take a look at ACE, MSE, and Edge, and they’ll make smart decisions based on their own operational analysis of what combination of those would be about that a little bit today," Hartley said.
The development of the PAC-3 Edge highlights the urgent need for air defense systems capable of countering hypersonic weapons, which travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and can maneuver unpredictably. Recent conflicts, including the war in Iran and the ongoing war in Ukraine, have demonstrated the limitations of existing interceptors against such threats. By introducing a multi-pulse motor and advanced seeker, Lockheed Martin aims to provide a kinetic hit-to-kill solution that can engage targets at greater ranges and altitudes, ensuring the U.S. and its allies maintain a defensive advantage against evolving missile technologies.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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