US Announces Acceleration of Patriot PAC-3 Missile Production.

Amid increasing missile use in Ukraine and the Middle East, production of Patriot missile system components has significantly increased. This surge is particularly notable for the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) missiles, with production set to reach 550 units annually at the Camden, Arkansas site, as announced by Lockheed Martin on April 9, 2024.
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Patriot PAC-3 - MSE long-range air defense missile system. (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

In response to intense deployments and storage needs in anticipation of potential conflicts, such as the situation concerning Taiwan, Lockheed has accelerated its production. The Camden production facility has been expanded and now produces 550 PAC-3 MSE missiles per year, up from 350 in 2018. This capacity is expected to reach 650 missiles by 2027, thanks to substantial internal investment despite the absence of additional Army funding.

Lockheed has also strengthened its supply chain by closely collaborating with suppliers like Aerojet Rocketdyne and Boeing, who provide critical components such as the solid rocket motor and missile seeker, respectively.

The US Army has not yet decided if further increases are necessary, but industrial pressures and geopolitical tensions suggest a continuing demand. Moreover, Lockheed is not only focusing on Army needs but is also proposing adaptations of the PAC-3 MSE for the Navy's Aegis combat system.

The Patriot PAC-3 is a long-range, all-weather, all-altitude air defense system, designed and primarily used by the United States but also by several other countries such as Germany, Israel, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates, to name a few. This missile, approximately 5.2 meters long and weighing about 700 kg at launch, is capable of covering distances from 20 to 35 kilometers.

Unlike traditional missiles with explosive warheads, the PAC-3 uses a "hit-to-kill" interception method. This means it destroys its target using the kinetic energy produced at the direct impact, without an explosion. This capability is powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor.

For target navigation and engagement, the PAC-3 is equipped with an active radar seeker in the missile's nose, allowing it to autonomously track and engage targets. This guidance system is complemented by mid-course updates from ground-based radar and an onboard inertial navigation system. With a top speed of Mach 5, approximately 6,173 km/h, the Patriot PAC-3 is a crucial component of modern missile defense strategies, utilizing the AN/MPQ-65 radar for enhanced detection and tracking capabilities.

In Europe, NATO members such as Germany, Romania, Spain, and the Netherlands have contracted to buy 1,000 PAC-2 GEM-T missiles, reflecting a collective approach to efficiently and economically strengthen air defense capabilities. This move includes significant local production elements, illustrating a shift towards more geographically distributed manufacturing in defense procurement.

Overall, the ramp-up in Patriot missile production reflects a strategic response to both current and anticipated defense needs globally, driven by geopolitical tensions and the need to maintain robust defense postures in multiple arenas.