WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M., July 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- A Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missile successfully intercepted a full-scale air breathing target at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, today, as part of the Post Deployment Build eight (PDB-8) test program.

The launch demonstrated the interceptor's ability to detect, track, engage and intercept an aircraft.

"This test series has demonstrated the effectiveness of the PAC-3 MSE hit-to-kill interceptor against a wide range of targets, including air-breathing targets and ballistic missiles. We're proud to deliver this overmatch capability to our warfighters," said Scott Arnold, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

The PAC-3 Missile is a high-velocity interceptor that uses hit-to-kill technology to defend against incoming threats including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft.

Building on the battle-proven PAC-3 missile, the PAC-3 MSE brings a larger, dual-pulse solid rocket motor, larger control fins and upgraded support system. The enhancements nearly double the missile's reach, and dramatically improve performance against evolving ballistic- and cruise-missile threats.

As a world leader in systems integration and development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, Lockheed Martin delivers high-quality missile defense solutions that protect citizens, critical assets and deployed forces from current and future threats. The company's experience spans missile design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, radar and signal processing, as well as threat-representative targets for missile defense tests.

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 125,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

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SOURCE Lockheed Martin