Defense contractor Lockheed Martin just debuted its next-generation surface-to-air interceptor missile to counter hypersonic and advanced missile threats.

Lockheed Martin unveiled a full-scale model of the PAC-3 Edge missile on Monday at the Association of the U.S. Army conference in Washington, D.C. 

Lockheed’s Missiles and Fire Control headquarters in Grand Prairie leads development of the PAC-3 Edge.

Flying farther and faster

The PAC-3 Edge improves on battle-tested PAC-3 missiles, the company said. PAC-3s are designed to destroy ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and hostile aircraft. The PAC-3 Edge can fly farther and hit more capable targets than the current PAC-3 missile.

Lockheed said it plans to invest hundreds of millions of dollars of its own money on the PAC-3 Edge missile, Breaking Defense reported.

Based on “hit-to-kill” technology, the PAC-3 Edge delivers “even greater maneuverability, power and velocity to ensure the Army’s layered defensive architecture remains the most advanced in the world,” Tim Cahill, president of Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business, said in a statement.

The PAC-3 Edge is part of the Army’s Future Interceptor program, Breaking Defense reported. Lockheed is one of two companies selected to advance in the research-and-development initiative, geared toward replacing current PAC-3 missiles used in the Patriot air defense system.

Lockheed said it plans to begin testing the PAC-3 Edge in 2027 and to deploy it by 2031.

‘Additional agility’

Aside from next-generation missile technology, the PAC-3 Edge features a multi-pulse solid rocket motor from defense contractor Northrop Grumman.

“It has a third pulse to the motor, so that means the motor will fire three times during its flight, giving it additional agility to kill the target,” Jason Reynolds, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control Integrated Air and Missile Defense, told Defense News.

Missile innovation pipeline

The PAC-3 Edge is the latest in a string of achievements for Lockheed’s missile business.

In June, the company gained a seven-year federal contract worth up to $35 billion to quadruple production of its Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptors. In July, a multiyear PAC-3 MSE contract worth up to $58.62 billion followed.

Last month, the Army awarded a contract worth up to $1.2 billion for Lockheed’s Increment 2 Precision Strike missile. The company also announced the first delivery of GM Defense components for the PAC-3 MSE in an “extraordinary 22-day turnaround” made possible by its new Rapid Fielding Center in Grand Prairie.

In response to the ongoing wars in Iran and Ukraine, Lockheed said it is investing $8 billion to $9 billion to expand production of munitions, adding jobs and buildings at more than 20 sites, including Grand Prairie.