The United States has resumed funding for the development of a new interceptor missile for the Patriot air defense system, a program that had been halted by the Biden administration.
For fiscal year 2026, $152 million is allocated for research, development, testing, and evaluation of the missile within the Lower Tier Future Interceptor (LTFI) program.
Lockheed Martin is the main contractor responsible for the development of the new missile, which will replace the MIM-104F MSE, while Raytheon is expected to rejoin the program. The companies are also preparing updates for the PAC-3 missile stockpile, responding to the increased demand due to the missile threat to Europe. In addition, Lockheed Martin is working on integrating the interceptors into ships, providing a more cost-effective alternative to the Standard missile family.
The US Navy will invest $416 million in June 2025 to adapt the Patriot missiles to the Aegis Combat System, including software development, integration, and live-fire testing.
The first test of the Golden Dome system is scheduled for 2028 and will be called FTI-X, combining sensors and weapons into a single network capable of intercepting multiple targets simultaneously, in line with the defense plans previously promised by former president Donald Trump.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @AirPowerNEW1 | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
🇺🇸 Significant news here ⬇️
The Trump Admin is restarting the Lower Tier Future Interceptor program (PAC-3 MSE successor), which had been cancelled last year by the Biden Admin. https://t.co/pWTjkI7V5g
— Colby Badhwar 🇨🇦🇬🇧 (@ColbyBadhwar) August 19, 2025
