Lockheed Martin Wants to Triple New Patriot Missile Production. Can It Deliver? |
Lockheed Martin and the Department of Defense (DoD) announced this week the accelerated production of the PAC-3 (Patriot Advanced Capability-3), the latest-generation interceptor for the MIM-104 Patriot missile defense system. The aerospace and defense giant has pledged to more than triple Patriot missile production as part of a new seven-year agreement with the DoD.
Under the new “transformative partnership,” Lockheed Martin will increase its production capacity for the PAC-3 MSE from approximately 600 to 2,000 to support the US military, allies, and international partners.
“This framework agreement marks a fundamental shift in how we rapidly expand munitions production and magazine depth, and how we collaborate with our industry partners,” said Michael Duffey, undersecretary of defense for Acquisition and Sustainment. “Lockheed Martin’s willingness to help pioneer this transformative acquisition model is a win-win for the taxpayer, our national security, and the rebuilding of the industrial base needed for the Arsenal of Freedom.”
The increased production of the PAC-3 MSE is part of the Pentagon’s ongoing Acquisition Transformation Strategy, which is meant to ensure long-term demand certainty, enable industry investment to increase production rates and further drive........