U.S. Navy to integrate PAC-3 MSE interceptors on Aegis destroyers

The U.S. Navy plans to integrate Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptors onto Aegis-equipped guided-missile destroyers. According to a Congressional Research Service report, the project aims to achieve initial operational capability by 2028, extending the missile's use beyond its current deployment in land-based Patriot and THAAD systems.

The PAC-3 MSE utilizes hit-to-kill technology to intercept tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial systems. Implementing this integration will require software updates for both the Aegis combat system and the interceptor itself. Lockheed Martin expects to conduct initial land-based testing in early 2027.

The Aegis Combat System serves as a foundational integrated naval weapons platform, combining advanced radar and computer processing to provide layered air and missile defense. The planned integration of the PAC-3 MSE represents the ongoing evolution of this ecosystem to counter modern threats.