The US Army is looking for a more affordable and producible Patriot option to counter cheap drones and ballistic missiles. The Army wants a new interceptor with a unit cost under $1 million, significantly cheaper than the current PAC-3 MSE interceptors.
This new interceptor would supplement existing options and improve the Patriot's cost-per-intercept ratio, especially against lower-tier threats. The design could also be easier to produce at scale, addressing stockpile and supply chain concerns.
The Army has broken down the $1 million target into four component groups, each with a cost target of $250,000. The service is seeking information from contractors on potential designs and plans to hold an Industry Day in the near future.
