Lockheed Halves Patriot Interceptor Cost As War Depletes Stockpiles
The new PAC-3 ACE reuses the proven PAC-3 fire control system and slots into existing Patriot batteries and IBCS networks.
- PAC-3 ACE costs less than half the price of the current PAC-3 MSE interceptor.
- It reuses the PAC-3 fire control system and works with existing Patriot and IBCS.
- Unveiled July 20, 2026 at Farnborough; Tim Cahill calls it "battle-tested and budget-smart."
Why it matters: The price dropped only after war emptied the stockpile; necessity set this number, not innovation.