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Ukraine-Tested Software Turns US Patriot Missiles Into Drone and Cruise Missile Killers
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![Photo of Ivan Khomenko]( "Photo of Ivan Khomenko")
The United States has successfully tested an upgraded version of the PAC-3 MSE missile for the Patriot air defense system, aimed at improving its effectiveness against drones, cruise missiles, and supersonic anti-ship weapons.
According to Defense Express on July 9, the tests conducted by Lockheed Martin involved intercepting air-breathing targets—simulated threats that include UAVs, cruise missiles, and aircraft.
While the PAC-3 MSE is primarily designed to intercept ballistic and hypersonic missiles, the latest upgrades focused on enhancing its performance against highly maneuverable and stealthy threats.
Lockheed Martin’s statement highlights that the improvements were made through software updates and new guidance algorithms, rather than hardware modifications.
This reflects a broader trend in modern air defense systems, where software modernization allows for rapid adaptation to emerging threats without the need for significant structural changes.
The upgrade is particularly relevant given the evolving capabilities of aerial threats. Drones and cruise missiles are increasingly equipped with advanced evasion technologies, including decoys, flares, and low-observable features, making them more difficult to detect and intercept.
The updated PAC-3 MSE is expected to strengthen defenses against threats such as Iran- and Russia-made Shahed drones, Russian Kh-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles, and supersonic Oniks anti-ship missiles—systems that continue to pose challenges in modern conflicts.
Although the use of PAC-3 MSE missiles against drones or cruise missiles may be seen as cost-inefficient due to their high price, operational necessity often dictates the deployment of available assets when more appropriate interceptors are unavailable.
Notably, PAC-3 MSEs are produced in greater numbers than the older GEM-T variants, providing flexibility in combat scenarios.
Earlier, The War Zone reported that Ukraine’s battlefield experience played a key role in improving the Patriot system, with software upgrades informed by real-world combat. Ukrainian forces became the first to intercept Russian Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, contributing to what experts call the most significant leap in Patriot capabilities to date.
