Lockheed Martin is working on low-cost Patriot missiles for combating drones

Lockheed Martin presented the new PAC-3 Adapted Capability Effector (ACE) missile at the Farnborough Airshow, highlighting that it will cost less than half of the current PAC-3 MSE interceptors, which are priced at approximately four million dollars.

Tim Cahill, president of the missile division, stated that American military personnel and their allies need cost-effective and combat-tested solutions. The demand for Patriot systems has significantly increased following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and global missile stocks have decreased, prompting armies to seek cheaper interceptors to counter aerial threats, including drones.

Lockheed Martin's decision reflects a trend among major defense companies to adapt to the competition from smaller, more agile technology firms.