Patriot Advanced Capability 3 Missile

Rocket Motor Case, Midsection and Seeker Housing

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems provides the composite seeker housing, midsection and motor case structure for the PAC-3, the next generation Patriot Advanced Capability Missile. Produced for the U.S. Army Air and Missile Defense Program, the PAC-3 is the world’s most effective hit-to-kill air defense missile.

Since 1963 General Dynamics has delivered over 40,000 rocket motor cases to every solid propellant rocket motor contractor in the United States.

Advanced carbon fiber technology and our high temperature proprietary resin offer advantages in performance and cost effectiveness. Our composite housing provides protection for the missile seeker, while the midsection functions as a structural component for the PAC-3 missile. The composite motor case is the primary structural component for the PAC-3 missile and incorporates high temperature materials to accommodate the solid-propellant rocket motor

FAST FACTS

» CRI Rocket motor case dimensions: 10 inches
diameter, 98 inches length
» MSE Rocket motor case dimensions: 11.5
inches diameter, 98 inches length
» MSE Motor design: Dual Pulse
» Integral Composite Skirts
» Material: lightweight carbon fiber, hightemperature epoxy resin (400°F operating
temperature), titanium end fittings and lugs

Produced in our Precision Systems facility in Lincoln, Nebraska.

» Rapid design, analysis, prototype, build & test
» Conditioned structural load testing
» Complete tool design
» Manufacture to performance specifications

PRODUCTION PROCESSES

» Filament winding
» Fin lug bonding
» Precision-machining
» Hydrostatic proof testing