Lockheed Martin has unveiled PAC-3 ACE, a new Patriot-family interceptor built to deliver broad air and missile defense at less than half the unit cost of PAC-3 MSE. Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow, the round is aimed at aircraft, cruise missiles, drones and short-range ballistic missiles, giving operators a cheaper shot for volume threats while preserving PAC-3 MSE for harder targets. The company positions PAC-3 ACE as a complement to existing Patriot and IBCS architectures, with the pitch centered on deeper magazines, improved cost-imposition and better inventory resilience in saturation scenarios.