US seeks alternative manufacturers of homing heads for Patriot missiles

The US Army plans to expand production of homing heads for the Patriot PAC-3 MSE anti-aircraft missiles, which are currently supplied only by Boeing. Military writes this with reference to the American government portal System for Award Management . This decision is due to the need to increase the pace of production of these missiles and meet the growing demand for them.

Last year, Boeing announced an increase in the annual production rate of homing heads for MIM-104 missiles, but this turned out to be insufficient. The US government portal posted an announcement about collecting applications from companies that could potentially become additional manufacturers of the heads. These are Ka-band radar homing heads, which provide hit-to-kill accuracy and are capable of intercepting a wide range of air threats, including cruise and ballistic missiles.

The proposed technological solutions must fit the current dimensions of the PAC-3 MSE missile and integrate without significant design changes. Optimization is allowed to improve the missile's performance. It is expected that in 2026-2027, prototypes will be ready for testing, which will include simulations and combat launches.

Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the missile, previously announced a 30% increase in PAC-3 MSE production. If the company achieves its goal, the production rate will increase to 600 missiles per year by the end of this year, and by 2027 the level should rise to 650 missiles per year.

Demand for Patriot missiles remains high among NATO countries and Ukraine, as they are effective against enemy ballistic missiles. In 2024, the US Army signed a contract for 870 PAC-3 MSE missiles worth $4.5 billion, confirming the importance of further stabilizing production supplies.