Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE)

The Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement PAC-3 MSE is a high velocity, hit-to-kill, surface-to-air missile capable of intercepting and destroying Tactical Ballistic Missiles TBM and air-breathing threats. The PAC-3 MSE is the follow-on variant of the PAC-3 missile. The PAC-3 MSEs improved capability is achieved through a higher performance solid rocket motor, modified lethality enhancer, more responsive control surfaces, upgraded guidance software, and insensitive munitions improvements. The PAC-3 MSE employs kinetic energy to destroy targets through a hit-to-kill capability and provides the range, accuracy, and lethality to effectively defend against TBMs armed with weapons of mass destruction as well as providing expanded battlespace performance against complex threats. The PAC-3 MSE is being integrated into the Patriot system requiring minor modifications to the launching station and using currently fielded system software, Post Deployment Build PDB-7. Additional system improvements, Radar Digital Processor and PDB-8 software are in process and, when fielded, enable the system to fully utilize the PAC-3 MSE kinematic capabilities.