Lockheed Martin Unveils Affordable Patriot Missile for Air Defense
WHO:
Defense News - Lockheed Martin introduced the PAC-3 Adapted Capability Effector (ACE).
Military Times - The U.S. Air Force is seeking an air defense missile system.
WHAT:
Defense News - The PAC-3 ACE is designed to be compatible with legacy equipment and the existing Patriot weapon system.
Military Times - The RFI specifies that the Air Force is looking for a system capable of intercepting drones ranging from Group 1 to Group 5, which includes a maximum weight of more than 1,320 pounds.
Kyiv Post - Initial production of the PAC-3 ACE is expected to start within 36 months.
Kyiv Post - Lockheed Martin announced plans to expand annual production of PAC-3 missiles from roughly 650 to 2,000 by 2033 under a $4.7 billion Pentagon contract.
Kyiv Post - Poland's defense minister stated that preparations to produce Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles in Ukraine could begin within weeks.
Defense News - The PAC-3 ACE will cost less than half of the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor.
Defense News - The PAC-3 interceptors cost an estimated $4 million, while an Iranian Shahed drone costs about $35,000.
Military Times - The Air Force's Request for Information (RFI) aims to identify industry partners for a Ground-Based Launcher solution.
Military Times - The RFI specifies a need for a system capable of intercepting cruise missiles and drones ranging from Group 1 to Group 5.
WHERE:
Defense News - The announcement was made during the 2026 Farnborough Airshow in London.
Military Times - U.S. and allied military bases in the Middle East have been targeted by Iranian drones and missiles.
WHEN:
Military Times - The deadline for responses to the Air Force's RFI is August 6.
WHY:
Defense News - The U.S. is looking to reduce dependence on expensive interceptors due to the high costs of combating mass-produced munitions.
Military Times - The Air Force's initiative is in response to recent attacks on U.S. assets by Iranian weapons.
HOW:
Defense News - The PAC-3 ACE is designed to combat airbreathing threats, cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles.
Military Times - The RFI outlines requirements for a self-contained, transportable air defense system with integrated sensing capabilities and a laser illuminator for fire control.
(UPDATED July 21, 2026 16:25 UTC)
Lockheed Martin has announced plans to significantly ramp up annual production of PAC-3 missiles from about 650 to 2,000 by 2033 as part of a $4.7 billion Pentagon contract. Meanwhile, the Air Force is seeking a new system capable of intercepting drones weighing over 1,320 pounds, ranging from Group 1 to Group 5. In related news, Poland's defense minister indicated that preparations to produce Patriot PAC-3 interceptor missiles in Ukraine could start within weeks, with initial production of the PAC-3 ACE expected to begin within 36 months.
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(UPDATED July 21, 2026 05:58 UTC)
Lockheed Martin has unveiled the PAC-3 Adapted Capability Effector, or ACE, at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow in London, which will cost less than half of the existing PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor. The U.S. Air Force is also seeking industry partners for a new air defense missile system, with a Request for Information due by August 6, aimed at intercepting cruise missiles and drones of varying sizes. This initiative comes as a response to recent attacks on U.S. assets by Iranian weapons, highlighting the need for a more cost-effective solution to counter mass-produced munitions.