The US Department of Defense is working to integrate the PAC-3 MSE interceptor with the Aegis Combat System in order to reinforce missile defense coverage for US Navy surface combatants.
A budget allocation of $65 million has been included in the fiscal year 2026 plan to advance the project, as reported by Inside Defense. Lockheed Martin has advocated for this integration for years, and the funding signals a concrete move toward deploying the Army-developed interceptor aboard Navy ships.
Testing has already demonstrated compatibility with the AN/SPY-1 radar, a key element of the Aegis system. Parallel efforts are focused on integrating the interceptor with the Mk 41 Vertical Launch System installed on platforms such as Arleigh Burke-class destroyer ships.
A notable milestone was achieved in 2024 when a PAC-3 MSE interceptor was launched vertically from a containerized system and successfully intercepted a cruise missile target using a virtualized Aegis setup. Incorporating the interceptor into the Mk 41 system could provide a practical and cost-efficient path for naval deployment without requiring significant modifications.
The PAC-3 MSE would add another defensive layer to Aegis-equipped warships, which currently depend on Standard Missile systems (SM-2, SM-3, SM-6) and the RIM-162 Evolved SeaSparrow Missile for protection against anti-ship threats. The interceptor is engineered to neutralize advanced threats, including ballistic and cruise missiles, hypersonic systems, and aircraft, using hit-to-kill technology.
It offers a range of about 120 kilometers and can engage targets at altitudes of up to 36 kilometers, making it particularly suited for countering tactical ballistic missiles.
This initiative coincides with expanded production plans for the PAC-3 MSE. A January agreement between Lockheed Martin and the Pentagon aims to increase annual production from roughly 600 units to about 2,000 over seven years. The interceptor is already in service with 17 allied nations, including Bahrain, Poland, and Ukraine.
