The U.S. government announced a contract with Lockheed Martin for the integration and testing of PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) into the Aegis Combat System. This move places the U.S. Navy among the ranks of PAC-3 MSE users around the world, including the U.S. Army and 16 partner nations.
PAC-3 MSE is combat proven in real-world operations and is a key IAMD capability for the U.S. and its allies. The U.S. government awarded Lockheed Martin a multi-million contract to continue munitions acceleration efforts and deliver a record number of PAC-3 MSE interceptors in 2026. This contract builds on the framework agreement Lockheed Martin signed with the U.S. Department of War to rapidly accelerate the production and delivery of PAC-3 MSE.
- Pioneering the next generation: Integrating the PAC-3 MSE and the Aegis Combat System will enhance the U.S. Navy’s IAMD capabilities.
- Delivering with urgency: Successful technology demos have provided a head start on delivering this capability to the Navy and boosting maritime defence.
- Self-funded: Prior to receiving government funding, Lockheed Martin delivered on Department of Defense priorities and made internal investments to integrate the world’s most advanced air defense missile with Aegis and the MK41 Vertical Launching System.
“By integrating PAC‑3 MSE’s capabilities into Aegis, the Navy is taking a decisive step forward in defending America’s fleet and our global interests against the most advanced threats,” said Jason Reynolds, vice president and general manager, Lockheed Martin IAMD. “Lockheed Martin is driving the innovation behind this effort—bringing together advanced, combat‑proven systems in new ways to accelerate capability and deliver a decisive advantage in maritime defense.”
“This integration further expands the capability of Aegis to engage missile threats at multiple layers, enabling a more comprehensive and effective defense against evolving threats, ensuring the warfighter has the strategic advantage,” said Chandra Marshall, vice president of Lockheed Martin Multi-Domain Combat Solutions.
PAC-3 MSE features proven, hit-to-kill technology that delivers exponentially more kinetic energy on the target than can be achieved with blast fragmentation mechanisms. PAC-3 MSE is combat proven against ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as hypersonic and airborne threats. Aegis has 50 years of proven capability, modern technology and flexible partnership opportunities. It is the most mature, capable multi-mission combat system and is adaptable to keep pace with evolving IAMD threats by rapidly integrating advanced capabilities and system updates through advanced software development processes, microservices and containerisation.
Lockheed Martin Australia’s Black Hawk sector surpasses 200+ employees
Lockheed Martin Australia has rapidly grown its Black Hawk helicopters sustainment industrial base to a 200+ strong workforce, embedded across Holsworthy, Brisbane, and Oakey in support of maximising the Australian Army’s UH-60M Black Hawk fleet availability. As the Australian Army’s industry partner providing integrated support services to the Black Hawks, Lockheed Martin Australia’s workforce has been providing fundamental through-life sustainment support to the UH-60M fleet. Since the Australian Army swiftly achieved initial operating capability for the UH-60M Black Hawks in 2024, Army’s fleet has now grown to 19 and surpassed 5,000 flying hours milestone.
Lockheed Martin Australia’s Program Director and General Manager Rotary and Mission Systems, Kendell Kuczma said, “I commend the Australian Army on consistently delivering a high rate of effort for its UH-60M Black Hawk program. Lockheed Martin Australia is proud to be an integral partner of the Black Hawk sustainment enterprise. Our priority is to provide dependable, rapid, and cost-effective sustainment support to the Australian Army to ensure the aircraft is ready when Army needs it.”
In Sydney, Lockheed Martin Australia’s Black Hawk logisticians have processed over 75,000 service transactions at the Black Hawk logistics warehouse to-date to aid the Australia Army’s Black Hawk operations. In Oakey, Lockheed Martin Australia’s training specialists are working with Army to qualify and upskill pilots and aviation crew for the UH-60Ms, with training courses increasing commensurate with the expanding fleet. Lockheed Martin Australia’s Black Hawk Program Manager, Rodahn Gibbon said, “We are proud to have delivered more than 200 jobs supporting industrial sustainment capability for the Black Hawk program. Our team on the ground derive a real sense of purpose from contributing to the integrated sustainment effort across all three sites. Further job growth is anticipated across the program. I encourage maintenance engineers, logisticians, and aviation specialists to visit our careers site to learn about the exciting careers available for Black Hawk helicopters.”
On a global scale, Sikorsky is dedicated to modernising the Black Hawk for soldiers who will rely on Black Hawk helicopters into the 2070s. Sikorsky is fielding new technology today—including an autonomous system, Black Hawk airframe enhancements and inclusions of a digital backbone capability to allow for rapid unmanned aerial systems integration. These technologies will lead to improved capability of a modernised Black Hawk for the Indo-Pacific region and allied partners world-wide.
For Editorial Inquiries Contact:
Editor Kym Bergmann at [email protected]
For Advertising Inquiries Contact:
Group Sales Director Simon Hadfield at [email protected]
