Boeing has agreed a seven-year framework with the US Department of “War” to significantly expand production of PAC-3 missile seekers, according to the company.
The agreement is intended to triple output of the seekers, which are used in PAC-3 interceptors to identify, track and engage aerial and missile threats including aircraft, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
The framework forms part of what the US government describes as an “Arsenal of Freedom” initiative aimed at strengthening the defence industrial base and increasing production capacity for critical systems. Boeing said the arrangement would support a major increase in supply to meet growing demand from the United States and allied nations.
To support the expansion, Boeing has already invested more than USD 200 million since 2024 in its Huntsville, Alabama facility, including a 35,000 square foot site expansion. The company said the agreement creates the conditions for further investment across its production and supply chain.
“With this framework, we’ll be able to produce and deliver more advanced seekers and enhance our military’s advantage,” said Steve Parker, president and chief executive of Boeing Defense, Space & Security.
The company said the effort will focus on increasing manufacturing capacity, expanding its workforce and strengthening domestic supply chains. It expects to grow its workforce in Huntsville as production ramps up, while working with US-based suppliers to support what it describes as a more resilient industrial base.
Under the framework, Boeing will work alongside the Department of War and Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor for the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement programme, to begin scaling production. The parties are expected to negotiate a formal multi-year production contract later this year. According to Boeing, deliveries of PAC-3 seekers increased by more than 30 per cent in 2025, with further growth anticipated as production capacity expands.
Why the inverted commas?
It is the Department of War.
No it’s not, only an act of congress can change the name and no such act has been passed.
Seems like PAC 3 is becoming increasingly unreliable with reports from the gulf that they are firing 3 instead of 2 missiles at each Iranian target. It seems that the Russians have increasingly been able to figure out ways to get around it and they are sharing that info with Iran.
SAMP/T appears to still be performing well, there are less systems in the field engaging Russia so it won’t have as much data as it has in PAC3