Lockheed Martin first tested the Patriot PAC-3 MSE missile interceptor with AN/SPY-1 radar for the Aegis ship combat system

Lockheed Martin continues to work on integrating Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missile interceptors into the Aegis combat system. The company recently tested the anti-missile with the AN/SPY-1 radar.

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The AN/SPY-1 radar is a key component of the Aegis shipboard combat system. A 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 the PAC-3 MSE into the Aegis system. Tom Copeman, vice president of Naval Systems, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said.

The PAC-3 MSE will expand the air defence system's capabilities and improve ballistic missile interception. The Aegis combat system currently employs Standard Missile 6 (SM-6) missiles.

The company's key mission was to modify the radio frequency data link to establish communication between the PAC-3 MSE and AN/SPY. Lockheed Martin technicians upgraded the dual-band data link in the PAC-3 MSE to a tri-band link to enable communication with the radar, which operates in the S-band.

The company is now ramping up production of the PAC-3 MSE to 550 missile interceptors per year. To do so, Lockheed Martin has expanded its facility in Camden, Arkansas.

Source: Lockheed Martin