WASHINGTON — Lockheed Martin has won a $944 million contract to deliver Patriot Advanced Capability-3 and PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement missiles to the United States and allies, according to a Dec. 21 company statement.

The Missile Segment Enhancement builds on PAC-3 capability by using a two-pulse solid rocket motor, which boosts the interceptor’s range and altitude.



The Lockheed statement specifically names Romania as one of the recipients of the missiles, but also includes the U.S. Army and other foreign military sales customers.

In late November, Romania sealed the deal to buy seven Patriot air-and-missile defense batteries to include 168 PAC-3 MSE interceptors. Romania is the 14th Patriot customer worldwide.

Poland is also expected to be a Patriot customer soon, with contract negotiations underway. The State Department in November cleared a potential sale to Poland that included 208 PAC-3 MSE missiles. However, a top defense official told Defense News that there is concern over the price of those weapons.

