JASDF System Intercepts Target From White Sands Missile
Range
Lockheed Martin and Airmen of the
Japanese Self Defense Force successfully supported the first
international PAC-3 Missile flight test Wednesday at White Sands
Missile Range, NM. The test was an engagement against a tactical
ballistic missile (TBM) target, which was intercepted and destroyed
by a PAC-3 Missile delivered to the Japan Self Defense Force.
The flight test was conducted by Patriot Japan Air Self Defense
Force. The test demonstrated the Patriot Configuration-3 upgrades
to Japanese Patriot ground system, and the addition of the PAC-3
Missile Segment to detect, track, engage and destroy a TBM target
in a realistic battlefield environment.
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control of Dallas, TX 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 (ELES).
These elements have been 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. Raytheon is the Patriot system integrator.
"The PAC-3 Missile provides combat proven hit-to-kill technology
to protect the Warfighter with continued lethality overmatch
against technologically advanced threats on today's battlefield,"
said Mike Trotsky, vice president - Air & Missile Defense
Programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "We are
particularly proud to celebrate the first FMS PAC-3 Missile test
with our Japanese allies."
The PAC-3 Missile is the world's most advanced, capable and
powerful theater air defense missile. It defeats the entire Patriot
Air Defense System threat spectrum: tactical ballistic missiles,
evolving cruise missiles and fixed and rotary winged aircraft.
PAC-3 Missiles significantly increase the Patriot system's
firepower, since 16 PAC-3s load out on a Patriot launcher, compared
with four legacy Patriot PAC-2 missiles.
Lockheed Martin achieved the first-ever hit-to-kill intercept in
1984 with the Homing Overlay Experiment, using force of impact
alone to destroy a mock warhead outside of the Earth's
atmosphere.
Further development and testing produced today's PAC-3 Missile,
which won a competition in 1993 to become the first hit-to-kill
interceptor produced by the US government.