U.S. Army Awards Lockheed Martin $347.5M for Containerized Patriot Launcher and 360-Degree Guidance

The U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin a $347.5 million Phase 2 contract to develop a containerized Patriot missile launcher and the Remote Interceptor Guidance 360 Degrees (RIG-360) system. The contract, issued on July 1, 2026, by the Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, aims to eliminate a critical blind spot in Patriot radar coverage. Conventional Patriot batteries using the AN/MPQ-65 radar can only track threats within a fixed sector, leaving them vulnerable to attacks from other directions. The containerized launcher, built into a standard shipping container, allows for flexible deployment and improved survivability. The RIG-360 system provides hemispherical guidance, enabling interceptors to engage threats from any direction. Both systems integrate with the Army's Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS). The contract includes eight development increments, progressing from lab testing to live-fire events. This award follows a $61 million Phase 1 contract in May 2026 and coincides with a broader surge in Patriot-related spending, including a $4.76 billion contract for PAC-3 MSE interceptors.