Lockheed Martin says lower-cost PAC-3 ACE and expanded PAC-3 MSE production will increase allied missile defense capacity across NATO

Lockheed Martin is pursuing a two-track expansion of Patriot interceptor capacity by increasing PAC-3 MSE production while developing the lower-cost PAC-3 ACE. The company says ACE is designed to counter a broad range of air and missile threats at less than half the unit cost of PAC-3 MSE, using the established PAC-3 fire-control system and integrating with Patriot and IBCS. Lockheed is also supporting plans for a European PAC-3 maintenance facility to improve regional readiness and return missiles to service more quickly. ACE nevertheless remains a developing capability, and the announced cost and performance objectives do not yet represent an operational procurement commitment.