Lockheed Martin-Raytheon MIM-104 Patriot PAC3 Successfully Intercepts Tactical Ballistic Missiles

DALLAS — Jointly developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin MIM 104 Patriot PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) interceptors successfully intercepted two tactical ballistic missile targets on November 7 2019 in a test at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. The PAC-3 CRI intercepts support the U.S. Army’s Field Surveillance Program (FSP) ensuring the reliability and readiness of fielded PAC-3 missiles. The test also marked the twelfth and thirteenth successful PAC-3 CRI FSP intercepts in seven years.

Read More Why Saudi Arabia Failed to Intercept Houthi Drones?

The U.S. Army-led missile defense flight test demonstrated the unique Hit-to-Kill capability of the PAC-3 family of missiles which defends against aerial threats through direct hits to incoming missiles. The test also reconfirmed PAC-3 CRI’s ability to detect, track and intercept incoming missiles while meeting fielded reliability requirements. The test was observed by representatives from the U.S. Army and current and potential Foreign Military Sales PAC-3 customers.

Read More An In-depth Look At The Raytheon’s MIM-104 Patriot Missile Defense System

Patriot is a mobile air and missile defense system that counters missile and aircraft threats. The system includes the
following:

  • C-band phased-array radars for detecting, tracking, classifying, identifying, and discriminating targets
  • Battalion and battery battle management elements
  • Communications Relay Groups and Antenna Mast Groups for communicating between battery and battalion assets
  • A mix of PAC-3 hit-to-kill missiles and PAC-2 blast fragmentation warhead missiles for negating missile and
    aircraft threats
  • The newest version of the PAC-3 missile is the Cost Reduction
    Initiative (CRI) missile. In addition, the Army is developing
  • The PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missile with increased battlespace defense capabilities and improved lethality.

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The PAC-3 CRI and MSE are high-velocity interceptors that defend against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft. Currently, fourteen nations operate the PAC-3 missile defense interceptor: the U.S., Germany, Kuwait, Japan, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Romania, Poland, Sweden and Bahrain.

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