With US-Iran tit-for-tat strikes on their ninth day and the Russia-Ukraine war grinding on in Eastern Europe, US inventories of certain air-delivered munitions are being depleted. This has made the rapid procurement of lower-cost missiles and bombs a top priority for the Trump administration.
The Wall Street Journal reports that defense giant Lockheed Martin is planning a low-cost version of the Patriot interceptor missile that will cost less than half as much as the current version.
The PAC-3 Adapted Capability Effector will cost less than half the price of Lockheed's PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor, which currently costs $4 million per round.
.@LockheedMartin introduces PAC‑3 ACE™ – a low‑cost, high‑performance interceptor built on the trusted PAC‑3® family. Designed for our allies, it delivers rapid‑field capability against short‑range ballistic, cruise and air‑breathing threats. pic.twitter.com/YW87z3Mq9f
— Lockheed Martin Europe (@LMEuropeNews) July 20, 2026
The new missile is designed to counter cruise missiles and short-range ballistic threats while using existing Patriot launchers.
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