U.S. Army seeks cheaper, more capable Patriot interceptors as Congress questions the cost of defeating low-cost drones

The U.S. Army is exploring new Patriot interceptor variants intended to provide greater capability at lower cost, according to an August 27 Congressional Research Service report. The service continues buying Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement, a hit-to-kill weapon for ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft and unmanned systems, while examining alternatives whose designs, manufacturers, schedules and costs remain undisclosed. Congress is assessing whether Patriot offers an affordable response to inexpensive drones and whether other effectors would provide a better cost exchange. Production bottlenecks and possible foreign manufacturing are also under review.