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Lockheed Martin has secured a landmark contract to integrate its PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor into the Aegis Combat System, marking the first time the system will be deployed at sea.
The contract brings a key component of the US Army’s air defence capability onto Navy warships, marking a broader push to strengthen missile defence against aerial threats.
“By integrating PAC‑3 MSE’s capabilities into Aegis, the Navy is taking a decisive step forward in defending America’s fleet and our global interests against the most advanced threats,” said Jason Reynolds, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin integrated air and missile defence.
“Lockheed Martin is driving the innovation behind this effort – bringing together advanced, combat‑proven systems in new ways to accelerate capability and deliver a decisive advantage in maritime defence.”
The PAC-3 MSE is designed to destroy targets through direct impact and has been combat proven against ballistic and cruise missiles as well as hypersonic threats.
Its integration into Aegis is expected to strengthen the Navy’s existing arsenal, which includes standard missile interceptors and other ship-based systems to address the changing nature of warfare and naval capabilities.
The contract builds on existing collaborations between Lockheed Martin and the US Department of War in the pursuit of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s “Arsenal of Freedom” framework, which seeks to localise defence production and capabilities.
Aegis has been operational for decades, with this expansion signifying the adaptability of the system to address modern needs, as Chandra Marshall, vice president of Lockheed Martin Multi-Domain Combat Solutions, explains.
“This integration further expands the capability of Aegis to engage missile threats at multiple layers, enabling a more comprehensive and effective defence against evolving threats, ensuring the warfighter has the strategic advantage.”
Once operational, the integration is expected to enhance the survivability and flexibility of US naval forces, particularly in contested regions such as the Indo-Pacific.
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