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Patriot Advanced Capability-3

Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)

Originally the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) is a long-range, all-altitude, all-weather air defence system providind both missile and air defense capabilities. Raytheon in Massachusetts and Lockheed Martin in Florida cooperate on development and production of the ballistic missile defense system.

As well as in the United States, Patriots is in service in Egypt, Germany, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan amongst other countries. PAC-3 ballistic missile systems were deployed by US forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. The systems were stationed in Kuwait and successfully destroyed a number of hostile surface-to-surface missiles using the new PAC-3 and guidance enhanced missiles.

Source: army-technology.com

Quick Facts
Mobility	Land-based, mobile launchers
Targets	Short-, medium-, long-range, and cruise missiles
Role	Point and terminal phase missile defense
Producer	Lockheed Martin

The PAC-3 is specially designed to target ballistic and cruise missiles in their terminal phase of the flight. 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 Balistic Missile Defense System is the only ground-based, terminal phase ballistic missile defense system designed to counter threats. The PAC-3 interceptor is a high velocity interceptor that defeats incoming targets by direct, body-to-body impact using a blast fragmentation warhead. PAC-3 interceptors represent a significant upgrade over legacy PAC-2s because sixteen PAC-3 interceptors can be loaded on to a single Patriot battery compared with only four interceptors under PAC-2.

The U.S. currently has 4 PAC-3 fire units ready for deployment. U.S. contractors are producing four interceptors a week; e.g. roughly 200 interceptors a year. The interceptors are 10 inches in diameter with multiple segments housing vital pieces of equipment. The top of the interceptor has the warhead and infrared (IR) seeker. Below that is the communication and control system. The bottom of the rocket is made up of the solid propellant and the rocket motor. Currently production is only at 50% of capacity and the number of rockets produced can be increased if foreign orders are palced. Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptors cost around $3.5 million per piece.

Development

The Army is responsible for production and further development of Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles while the Missile Defense Agency remains responsible for the Ballistic Missile Defense System interoperability and integration efforts. Recent upgrades have made PAC-3 a versatile all-purpose terminal, ballistic and air defense missile.

The PAC-3 ballistic missile defense system was was deployed to the Middle East as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom where it successfully engaged and destroyed a number of hostile ballistic missiles.

September 2009 - Lockheed Martin fielded successful flight tests for the PAC-3 missile with the Japanese Self Defense Force.