Lockheed Martin first tests Patriot PAC-3 MSE missile interceptor with AN/SPY-1 radar for Aegis ship combat system
Lockheed Martin continues to integrate Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missile interceptors into the Aegis combat system. The company recently tested an anti-missile with AN/SPY-1 radar.
The AN/SPY-1 radar is a key component of the Aegis naval combat system. The successful test demonstrated that the PAC-3 MSE missile interceptor can communicate with the AN/SPY-1 radar.
The test was an important step towards the full integration of PAC-3 MSE into the Aegis system. This was stated by Tom Copeman, vice president of Naval Systems at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
The PAC-3 MSE will expand the capabilities of the air defense system and increase the effectiveness of ballistic missile interception. Currently, the Aegis combat system uses Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) anti-missiles.
The company’s key task was to modify the radio frequency data link to establish communication between the PAC-3 MSE and the AN/SPY. Lockheed Martin specialists have upgraded the dual-band data link in the PAC-3 MSE to a tri-band to enable communication with the S-band radar.
The company is currently ramping up production of the PAC-3 MSE to 550 missile interceptors per year. To do this, Lockheed Martin has expanded its Camden, Arkansas, facility.
