FARNBOROUGH, England — Lockheed Martin has unveiled a lower-cost version of its Patriot interceptor missile as defense forces seek more affordable ways to counter growing drone and missile threats, the company said on Monday.
The new Patriot PAC-3 Adapted Capability Effector, or PAC-3 ACE, is designed to cost less than half the price of the existing PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor, which costs roughly $4 million per missile, according to U.S. Army budget documents cited by Reuters. Lockheed said the new system will be developed with U.S. and European industry partners, with initial production expected within about three years.
Lockheed introduced the interceptor at the Farnborough Airshow in England, where defense companies have been highlighting efforts to expand air-defense capacity as militaries face increasing demand for systems capable of defeating drones, cruise missiles and other aerial threats.
The company said PAC-3 ACE will use the existing Patriot fire-control system and remain integrated with the Patriot architecture and Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Battle Command System. Lockheed said the design is intended to reduce the cost of engaging air-breathing threats, cruise missiles and short-range ballistic missile threats while increasing available interceptor inventories.
“American and allied warfighters need a solution that is battle-tested and budget-smart,” Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, said in a company statement.
The development comes as the United States and its allies have increased spending on air-defense weapons following heavy use of missile interceptors in conflicts including the war in Ukraine and heightened tensions in the Middle East. Defense officials have warned that expensive interceptors can create challenges when forces face large numbers of relatively inexpensive drones or missiles.
The PAC-3 ACE is intended to complement, rather than replace, existing PAC-3 MSE interceptors, which provide advanced capabilities against more demanding threats. Lockheed has not said that the new interceptor will serve as a dedicated counter-drone weapon, but the company has positioned it as part of broader efforts to provide lower-cost air-defense options.
The U.S. Army and other defense agencies have also pursued separate programs aimed at developing cheaper interceptors as part of efforts to increase the size and sustainability of air-defense stockpiles.
Lockheed said it will continue development work with American and European partners, with production plans expected to advance after further testing and integration efforts.
