Lockheed Martin Unveils Low-Cost Patriot Missile to Boost Air Defense Production

Lockheed Martin has unveiled a new, lower-cost interceptor for the Patriot air defense system, aiming to significantly reduce production costs while increasing the number of missiles available for modern air defense operations. The new missile, known as the PAC-3 Adapted Capability Effector (ACE), was officially introduced by the U.S. defense contractor on July 20 and later showcased at the Farnborough International Airshow. PAC-3 ACE Designed to Cut Costs and Expand Production According to Lockheed Martin, the PAC-3 ACE interceptor will cost less than half the price of the current PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE), which carries an estimated price tag of about $4 million per missile. That would place the cost of the new interceptor below $2 million.