PAC-3/MSE MISSILE

Abstract

This system is an integral part of the overall Air and Missile Defense (AMD) architecture and will provide for an incrementally fielded Integrated Air and Missile Defense Fire Control System/capability for the composite Army Air and Missile Defense Brigades. The PATRIOT Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) is the evolution of the phased material change improvement to PATRIOT. It is continuously being improved via hardware and software changes to provide enhanced performance across the spectrum for system and threat intercept performance. The latest missile improvement is the Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) and has been accepted as the baseline missile for the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). It is being developed by the U.S. for PATRIOT to meet the U.S. operational requirements. The MSE will provide a more agile and lethal interceptor that increases the engagement envelope/defended area of PATRIOT and the MEADS systems. The MSE improves upon the current PAC-3 missile capability with a higher performance solid rocket motor, modified lethality enhancer, more responsive control surfaces, upgraded software, and insensitive munitions improvements. Near term efforts to include ground system software evolution to best utilize both the PAC-3 and MSE missile capabilities within the PATRIOT system are being implemented. The Army is developing an MSE path forward which may impact the projected 4th Qtr FY14 First Unit Equipped (FUE) due to evolving funding limitations and flight test progress. If MSE is delayed, the Army would expect to continue to procure the PAC-3 Missile in FY13.

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Document Details

Document Type
R2 Budgetary Justification
Publication Date
Oct 01, 2012
Source ID
0605456A_5_2040_PB_2012
Change Summary Explanation
Service Agency Name
Army

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Army

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Control Surfaces
  • Control Systems
  • Cost Analysis
  • Defense Systems
  • Demonstrations
  • Ground Control Stations
  • Ground Support Equipment
  • Insensitive Explosives
  • Materials
  • Munitions
  • Production
  • Rocket Engines
  • Safety Equipment
  • System Software
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Missile Defense Systems.

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