The PAC-3 Missile is the U.S. Defense Department’s priority anti-tactical missile interceptor program. The program is managed by the U.S. Army Lower Tier Project Office (LTPO) and is sponsored by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). The PAC-3 Missile is the only ground-based, terminal defense system designed to counter threats armed with weapons of mass destruction. The PAC-3 Missile is a high velocity interceptor that defeats incoming targets by direct, body-to-body impact. PAC-3 Missiles, when deployed in a Patriot battery, will significantly increase the Patriot system’s firepower, since 16 PAC-3s load-out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four of the Patriot PAC-2 missiles.