LOCKHEED MARTIN PAC-3 MISSILES SUCCESSFULLY DEFEAT TACTICAL BALLISTIC MISSILE AND CRU

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LOCKHEED MARTIN PAC-3 MISSILES SUCCESSFULLY DEFEAT TACTICAL BALLISTIC MISSILE AND CRUISE MISSILE IN TEST

DALLAS, TX, September 2, 2004 --

Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missiles successfully intercepted and destroyed an incoming tactical ballistic missile (TBM) and a low-altitude cruise missile in a dual test today at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The battle-proven PAC-3 Missile is the world’s only fielded hit-to-kill, kinetic energy air defense missile.

In the dual engagement test, two PAC-3 Missiles were “ripple-fired” at an incoming Patriot-As-A-Target (PAAT) TBM, a legacy Patriot missile modified to represent a short-range TBM. In a second simultaneous engagement, a single PAC-3 Missile was fired at a low-flying MQM-107D cruise missile target. Preliminary data indicates both the TBM target and cruise missile target were destroyed. All test objectives were met.

“This was an outstanding demonstration of the ability of the PAC-3 Missile to defeat the entire threat to the Patriot system,” said Steve Graham, vice president - PAC-3 Missile program for Lockheed Martin. “This was our fifth successful “ripple-fire” of PAC-3 Missiles against TBMs, both in flight testing and in combat. These tests continue to prove that PAC-3 can effectively protect deployed troops and other high-value assets from a variety of contemporary threats.”

Test objectives included demonstrating the system's ability to detect, track and engage a TBM and cruise missile simultaneously, and validating the performance of several components of the PAC-3 Missile that were part of on-going cost reduction initiatives. These include an Advanced Master Frequency Generator (AMFG), Multi-Band Radio Frequency Data Link (MRFDL) and a Simplified Inertial Measurement Unit (SIMU).

“We demonstrated several upgraded components during today’s flights,” Graham added. “These improvements add greater functionality to the system while reducing overall missile cost.”

The ‘hit-to-kill’ PAC-3 Missile is the world’s most advanced, capable and powerful theater air defense missile. It defeats the entire threat to the Patriot Air Defense System: tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs) carrying weapons of mass destruction, advanced cruise missiles and aircraft. PAC-3 Missiles significantly increase the Patriot system's firepower, since 16 PAC-3s load-out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four of the older Patriot PAC-2 missiles.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system. The PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the PAC-3 Missile, a highly agile hit-to-kill interceptor, the PAC-3 Missile canisters (in four packs), a Fire Solution Computer and an Enhanced Launcher Electronics System. These elements are being integrated into the Patriot system, a high to medium altitude, long-range air defense missile system providing air defense of ground combat forces and high-value assets.

The PAC-3 Missile has been selected as the primary interceptor for the multi-national Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). Managed by the NATO MEADS Management Agency (NAMEADSMA), MEADS is a model transatlantic development program focused on the next generation of air and missile defense. MEADS will focus on risk reduction, application of key technologies and validation of a system design incorporating the PAC-3 Missile as the prime interceptor.

The Patriot PAC-3 program is managed by the U.S. Army and executed by the Army Program Executive Office, Air, Space and Missile Defense and the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Project Office in Huntsville, AL.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile defense system. It also has considerable experience in missile design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and signal processing. The company makes significant contributions to all major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 130,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2003 sales of $31.8 billion.

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Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missiles successfully intercepted and destroyed an incoming tactical ballistic missile (TBM) and a low-altitude cruise missile in a dual test today at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The battle-proven PAC-3 Missile is the world’s only fielded hit-to-kill, kinetic energy air defense missile.

It has only just completed a test against cruise missiles and ballistic missiles for the first time, so how can it be a "fielded" system? Second what do they think an S-300V system has been doing in tests since it entered service in the early 80s? Firing laser beams at the target?

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GarryB and Vympel could you locate some info on the kind of anti-missile tests the S300/400 has been put through? Unlike the barrage of data on US and israeli system that area is a bit of unknown.

GarryB and Vympel could you locate some info on the kind of anti-missile tests the S300/400 has been put through?

Apart from very public defence show demos most of the tests were carried out under the veil of Cold War Secrecy in the late 70s and early 80s.

The S-300V system is cleared to engage ballistic and low flying cruise missile targets with low RCS... including weapons with speeds of up to about 3km/s or about mach 9. It consists of two missiles the SA-12A and the SA-12B. One flies at about mach 5.4 and the larger other at about mach 7.5 or so.

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20 years 8 months

Posts: 318

yaaa, patriot is the most useless missile in the world, while iraq II he just missed old 60's scuds at a range of 75%, he killed tornados planes and helos! lol

to get a success the yanks need to give the datas about where the missile test will be launched! lol ridiculus!

in the 7th paragraph of the report it states that the system consists of the PAC-3 missile and highly agile hit-to-kill interceptor and other equipment. is the missile and the interceptor the same thing or another bit of kit to intercept the missile?

is the missile and the interceptor the same thing or another bit of kit to intercept the missile?

By calling it a hit to kill interceptor they are referring to the PAC-3 as the interceptor and suggesting that missile to missile contact is expected rather than hoped for.