Low-Cost Patriot PAC-3 ACE Interceptor First Flight Set for No Earlier Than 18 Months From Now

The first flight of the new low-cost PAC-3 ACE interceptor missile is scheduled for no earlier than 18 months from now, while production is expected to begin within the next few years.

Lockheed Martin Chief Operating Officer Frank St. John said this in an interview with CNBC.

According to him, the PAC-3 ACE will be developed using technology developed for the PAC-3 MSE, which has already demonstrated high effectiveness in combat.

The missile was first unveiled at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow, held from July 20 to 24.

The exact capabilities of the new missile are not yet known. However, according to Frank St. John, the PAC-3 ACE will have approximately two-thirds of the capabilities of the PAC-3 MSE.

On its official website, Lockheed Martin describes the PAC-3 ACE as a low-cost interceptor designed to counter a wide range of air and missile threats, including cruise missiles and short- and medium-range ballistic missiles.

The new missiles will be integrated into the existing Patriot weapon system, while the command-and-control system will determine which interceptor is best suited to counter a specific threat.

A key aspect of developing the new interceptor is a significant increase in production capacity, as the ACE will be manufactured on a separate production line independent of PAC-3 MSE production.

The PAC-3 ACE is expected to cost less than half the price of the MSE. Given that the procurement cost of PAC-3 MSE missiles is approximately $3 million to $4 million, the estimated price of the PAC-3 ACE could be around $1.5 million to $2 million.

Frank St. John also said that over the next three years, the company has committed to investing $9 billion in 20 facilities to triple its production capacity, and in some cases increase it fourfold.

“We are hiring new employees and expanding our supply chain, including by bringing in suppliers in Europe. This will allow us to increase capacity and improve productivity,” he said.

At the end of July, the United States ordered PAC-3 MSE interceptor missiles from Lockheed Martin in a deal worth $53.86 billion. Lockheed Martin said at the time that the new order would enable the company to significantly increase PAC-3 MSE production to 2,000 missiles per year by 2030.