U.S. Army funds PAC-3 LTAMDS sensor testing program

The United States Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a $33.8 million contract to provide ground and flight test support for the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) integrated with the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) system, according to a contract announcement released Feb. 18, 2026.

The contract was issued by Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, with work supporting testing activities tied to the LTAMDS radar and its role within the PAC-3 air and missile defense architecture. The award follows a competitive solicitation conducted online that received one bid. Work locations and associated funding will be determined under individual task orders, with completion scheduled for March 31, 2027.

According to the contract notice, the agreement covers technical support required for both ground-based testing and flight testing of the sensor system. These activities are intended to validate system performance, integration, and operational functionality as the Army advances modernization of its lower-tier air and missile defense capabilities.

The LTAMDS program is designed to replace the legacy Patriot radar with a modern sensor capable of providing expanded detection coverage and improved tracking against advanced aerial threats. Integrated with the PAC-3 interceptor family, the system forms a core component of the Army’s layered air and missile defense network focused on countering cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and other airborne threats.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, headquartered in Grand Prairie, Texas, is responsible for supporting testing efforts that verify sensor performance during operationally relevant scenarios. Ground testing evaluates system integration, calibration, and operational readiness, while flight tests measure radar tracking and engagement coordination during live or simulated intercept conditions.

The PAC-3 system serves as one of the U.S. Army’s primary air and missile defense capabilities, providing point and area defense for deployed forces and critical infrastructure. LTAMDS introduces a redesigned radar architecture intended to expand situational awareness and improve detection coverage compared with earlier Patriot radar configurations.

As noted in the contract announcement, funding and work locations will be assigned through individual orders issued under the contract vehicle. The cost-plus-incentive-fee structure aligns contractor compensation with performance outcomes during testing activities, encouraging timely execution and technical reliability throughout the evaluation process.

The LTAMDS effort represents part of the Army’s broader modernization of air and missile defense sensors aimed at improving detection coverage and integration with current interceptor systems and will replace the current Patriot radar. Testing phases are a required step before operational units receive upgraded radar capabilities.