Lockheed Martin Advances PAC-3 Edge Interceptor for the Army’s Future Interceptor Program

On October 9, 2026, Lockheed Martin announced the PAC-3 Edge™ interceptor, its entry in the U.S. Army’s Future Interceptor competition. The missile builds on the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE) and is slated for flight testing in 2027, with a target fielding date of 2031.

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The Future Interceptor effort follows the 2024 cancellation of the Lower-Tier Future Interceptor (LTFI) program. In October 2025, Maj. Gen. Frank Lozano, then the Army’s program executive officer for missiles and space, indicated that aspects of the LTFI remained “pre-decisional” and that the Army might resume the effort a year later. The revived competition now advances Lockheed Martin and one unnamed rival to the next development phase.

Lockheed Advances Anti-Hypersonic PAC-3 Edge in Army’s Future Interceptor Down-Select

PAC-3 Edge retains the hit-to-kill architecture of the PAC-3 MSE while adding three major upgrades:

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• Seeker – a new, Lockheed-built seeker developed at the Strigo Product Center, funded with a $250 million investment.

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• Propulsion – a three-pulse solid-rocket motor supplied by Northrop Grumman, designed to extend range and altitude.

Lockheed Martin Unveils PAC-3 Edge Interceptor for U.S. Army

• Control System – revised flight-control software and hardware to improve maneuverability at longer ranges.

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Lockheed Martin has allocated $50-$100 million of its own capital to the interceptor and plans to invest roughly $800 million in seeker development.

Lockheed Advances Anti-Hypersonic PAC-3 Edge in Army’s Future Interceptor Down-Select

Tim Cahill, Lockheed’s missiles and fire-control president, said testing will begin in 2027 with deployment aimed for 2031. He noted the interceptor’s cost is expected to be comparable to the existing PAC-3 MSE and that the production line could reach about 2,000 units annually, matching current PAC-3 output. Cahill emphasized integration with the Army’s Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS), the M903 launcher, containerized launchers and the HIMARS Flex system.

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• Internal investment in PAC-3 Edge: $50 – $100 million.

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• Seeker development funding: $250 million (Strigo Product Center) plus an additional $800 million earmarked for further seeker work.

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• Production capacity expansion: the Army’s recent contract actions raise the annual output ceiling for PAC-3 interceptors from roughly 600 to 2,000 units.

Lockheed Martin Unveils PAC-3 Edge Interceptor for U.S. Army

• Contract ceiling for broader PAC-3 production (including Edge candidates): up to $58.6 billion for FY 2026-2032.

Lockheed Martin Unveils PAC-3 Edge Interceptor for U.S. Army

• “Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 Edge interceptor leverages the combat-proven PAC-3 MSE, delivering even greater maneuverability, power and velocity to ensure the Army's layered defensive architecture remains the most advanced in the world,” — Tim Cahill, fire-control president

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Lockheed Martin will display a full-scale model of PAC-3 Edge at the upcoming Association of the United States Army (AUSA) conference. Following the 2027 test program, the Army will evaluate performance data to decide whether to award full-rate production and proceed with the 2031 fielding schedule.

Lockheed Martin Unveils PAC-3 Edge Interceptor for U.S. Army