The PAC-3 MSE is the most advanced air defence missile of its kind, designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, hypersonic threats, and aircraft. It plays a vital role in the wider Patriot air defence system used by the United States and its international partners.
Production of the PAC-3 MSE increased by more than 30 percent in 2024 compared to the previous year, according to Lockheed Martin. “This has been a record year for PAC-3 MSE,” said Paul Taliaferro, director of PAC-3 Production.
“We’re committed to continuing our ramp up and delivering in excess of our stated capacity for the next several years to ensure our partners can defend against evolving threats,” he added. Lockheed Martin plans a further 20 percent production increase in 2025 to meet growing global demand.
The increase in output has been supported by updated production processes, advanced equipment, digital tools, and a skilled workforce. These investments have helped the company respond quickly to rising defence requirements from the U.S. and allied nations.
In October 2024, the U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to expand annual production capacity to 650 PAC-3 MSE units. The company expects to reach this rate by 2027, aligning with customer needs and global security demands.
“This is a team effort – we’re working closely with the U.S. Army to get up to a rate that supports their mission and our worldwide customers,” said Brian Kubik, vice president of PAC-3 Programs. “To meet the demand, we started investing more than a year before the recent contract award to position our factories and workforce to support a higher production capacity.”
Lockheed Martin is also collaborating with its supply chain partners to scale up parts production and ensure continuity. Internally, new tooling and test equipment are being added at its manufacturing sites, including its facility in Camden, Arkansas.
The Arkansas site received an 85,000-square-foot expansion in 2022 to support increasing output. Lockheed Martin says it remains committed to working with customers to address modern threats and support global air defence capabilities.
Source: Lockheed Martin.
