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August 21, 2008
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Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
| Country: | USA |
|---|---|
| Basing: | Land |
Details
Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) is a surface-to-air guided missile defense system that builds upon the existing Patriot air defense infrastructure (used most notably during the Persian Gulf War in 1991). The new fully operational PAC-3 provides advanced capability against enemy cruise missiles, aircraft, and unlike previous systems, tactical ballistic missiles.
PAC-3 production began in late 1999 under a $143 million contract to Lockheed Martin and subcontractors Raytheon and Boeing. The first batch of 16 missiles was delivered to the U.S. Army in September 2001. The Army was initially authorized to manufacture 72 missiles per year, but in 2003 Congress increased PAC-3 production to 96 missiles. The Army plans to build an inventory of 1,159 interceptors.
In March 2003, the Army deployed PAC-3 as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During the war, Patriot interceptors engaged and eliminated two Iraqi missiles using hit-to-kill technology, meaning that the interceptors collided with the Iraqi missiles (like a bullet hitting a bullet), causing complete destruction. Despite its successes, the Army is still testing PAC-3 against larger and faster ballistic missiles.
The PAC-3 system consists of four main components: a radar, a command center, a launcher, and the interceptor missiles themselves. In a typical wartime scenario, the PAC-3 radar scans the skies with its overlapping beams, paying close attention to the horizon. Once a target has been detected, the radar immediately determines the speed, altitude, heading, and origin of the threat, and communicates this information via computer to the command center.
The command center, known as the Engagement Control Station (ECS), serves as the battle management, command, control, and communications center of PAC-3. Inside the ECS, the human operators view potential targets on the display screen, calculate fire missions, and send launch instructions to the mobile launchers. The operators play another important role: determining friend from foe.
The PAC-3 interceptor itself, 17.1 feet long and 10 inches in diameter, is an upgraded version of the Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2). The main difference lies in the kill mechanism: while the PAC-2 uses an exploding warhead to eliminate its targets, the PAC-3 is a hit-to-kill system and destroys its targets by the kinetic energy released in a head-on collision. Another difference is that the PAC-3 interceptors, enhanced by the advanced radar and command center, are capable of protecting an area approximately seven times greater than the original Patriot system.
The PAC-3 interceptors are mounted on mobile launchers. Each launcher can hold up to 16 interceptors in its launch canister, which doubles as a shipping container. In a deployment scenario, the launchers are arranged to provide overlapping coverage, allowing PAC-3 to respond rapidly to attacks from all directions.
Once PAC-3 has launched, the ground radar provides detailed tracking information as the interceptor streaks toward its target. Meanwhile, the interceptor’s own active seeker searches for the enemy missile. Once the active seeker acquires the target, its computer uses the locations of both the target and the Patriot missile to calculate the proper trajectory for the interceptor.
As the interceptor closes in on the target, the active seeker recalculates the trajectory and makes adjustments to the interceptor’s speed and direction. At the point of impact, the PAC-3 achieves catastrophic destruction of the incoming warhead, including any nuclear, chemical, or biological agents. The system is capable of targeting and destroying multiple targets while evading countermeasures and decoys.
On March 4, 2004, two PAC-3 missiles tracked and destroyed a large target missile at the U.S. Army’s White Sands Missile Ranch in New Mexico. The method of using two PAC-3 missiles is known as “ripple firing.” The target missile, known as Patriot-As-A-Target (PAAT), had been modified to represent a short-range tactical ballistic missile and programmed to simulate the flight patterns of a Scud missile.
In February 2004, the Army awarded another production contract to Lockheed Martin worth $505 million for 159 PAC-3 missiles, including 22 missiles to replace those used in Iraq. Lockheed Martin will deliver the missiles by April 2006.
Sources
Army Technology.
The Boeing Company.
GlobalSecurity.org.
Liang, John. “Patriot PAC-3 Intercepts Target Missile in ‘Ripple Fire’ Test.” Inside Missile Defense, 17 March 2004.
Lockheed Martin Corporation.
“Lockheed Says Pac-3 Missile Test Successful.” Reuters News, 4 March 2004.
Missile Defense Agency, PAC-3 Description.
Missile Defense Agency, PAC-3 Press Release.
“PAC-3 Performs Intercept In White Sands Test.” Defense Daily, 5 March 2004.
Raytheon Company.
Sang-min, Joo. “U.S. To Deploy More Patriot Defense Missiles; Air Defense Brigade To Be Established To Control 8 Antimissile Batteries.” The Korea Herald, 1 May 2004.
“U.S. Army Order 100 PAC 3 Interceptors.” Forecast International Defense Intelligence Newsletters, 15 March 2004.
Independent Working Group Issues Major Report on Ballistic Missile Defense
Five years after withdrawing from the ABM Treaty, the United States has so far failed to take advantage of the withdrawal and revive development of specific technologies necessary to make the nation and its allies safe from missile attack. On July 10, The Independent Working Group (IWG) issued a major report outlining the need for more ambitious efforts in ballistic missile defense policy. The report, entitled Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century, advocates the development and deployment of robust missile defense capabilities well beyond the limited ground-based system currently being deployed in Alaska and California. The Claremont Institute is one of eight public policy organizations from around the country co-sponsoring the report.
The report recommends that the Pentagon build on the legacy of technologies developed under the Strategic Defense Initiative of the Reagan and first Bush administrations. Sea- and space-based assets should constitute the backbone of a robust, layered U.S. missile defense shield, which ground-based systems should support. Such a shield would be capable of protecting the U.S., its allies, and troops abroad against the threat of a hostile missile attacks from any quarter. The missile threat has only increased in recent years as rogue nations and transnational terrorist organizations attempt to acquire ballistic missile technology and weapons of mass destruction. The report praises the Bush Administration for withdrawing from the 1972 ABM Treaty and beginning modest and limited deployments, but also criticizes the failure to use existing technologies to deploy a more robust system actually capable of defending the United States, our troops, and our allies.
Changes to sea-based missile defense development programs could be made for approximately $350 million, in three specific areas. The U.S. could demonstrate a space-based missile defense system for some $3-5 billion, and field some 1000 space-based interceptors for an anticipated cost of $16.4 billion. Current expenditures for missile defense total approximately $8 billion per year.
The Independent Working Group is co-chaired by Dr. Robert Pfaltzgraff, President of the Institute of Foreign Policy Analysis (IFPA) at Tufts University, and by Dr. William R. Van Cleave, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Defense and Strategic Studies at Missouri State University, and a member of the original U.S. delegation which drafted the 1972 ABM Treaty. Ambassador Henry F. Cooper, who in former roles oversaw both development of missile defense for the U.S. and was chief negotiator to the Geneva Defense and Space Talks, Dr. Robert Jastrow, founding director of NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies, and Dr. Lowell Wood, a Physicist at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Commissioner on the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) were among the numerous missile defense, space, and security experts from the scientific, technical, and national security policy communities around the country who are members of the Independent Working Group.
Members of the Working Group also include Brian T. Kennedy, president of the Claremont Institute, and Thomas Karako, Director of Programs at the Claremont Institute and editor of Missilethreat.com. Sponsors and authors of the IWG report include eight think-tanks headquartered in Washington D.C., California, Alaska, Missouri, Massachusetts, and around the country.
Further, the experts called on the U.S. to recreate and sustain the scientific and technology base—including the workforce needed—to assure U.S. primacy in space and missile defense. That job would be accomplished by revamping organizational leadership of sea and space based missile defense in the U.S., and directing the National Science Foundation and other government agencies to further emphasize research in space technologies.
The report was released July 10 in Washington D.C., and will be followed by a series of briefings to the public and governmental officials during 2006 and 2007.
“We cannot be complacent about the missile defense program we have with the new threats the U.S. is facing,” said Dr. Robert Pfaltzgraff, co-chair of the Independent Working Group. “We promised ourselves an effective, layered defense with our withdrawal from the ABM treaty. It is now time to put politics aside and use the most effective technologies to make that happen.”
» More stories on: Resources, Space-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Brilliant Pebbles, Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Taiwan Test Launches PAC-2 Interceptors, Destroys Target Missile
Taiwan launched two Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) interceptors as part of its largest-ever, live-fire military exercise. The AFP reports that the U.S.-made Patriots were fired from mobile launchers on a beach off the northeastern city of Ilan, and successfully shot down an incoming target missile launched some 30 km (18 miles) away. The military exercises, codenamed Han-Kuang 22, simulated a Chinese invasion and also included fighter jets and ground troops. “This is the first time Patriot missiles were launched before the eyes of the public … to show our determination to safeguard Taiwan,” said President Chen Shui-bian afterwards.
» More stories on: Allies, Taiwan, Testing - Foreign
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
U.S. to Deploy PAC-3 in Okinawa, Beginning in August
The U.S. will deploy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air missiles in Okinawa next month, U.S. and Japanese officials announced yesterday. The Pentagon will relocate PAC-3 interceptors along with 600 troops from the Air Defense Artillery Battalion at Fort Bliss, Texas, to the U.S. Kadena Air Base and the nearby Munitions Storage Area on Okinawa. Japanese officials said the system is scheduled to be at least partially operational by year’s end. In addition, Japan’s Self Defense Force will begin deploying PAC-3 systems on military bases by next March. The rollout will begin at Iruma Base just west of Tokyo, spreading to three other bases by the end of 2007. Japan intends to keep deploying the system throughout the country through 2010.
» More stories on: Deployment, Japan
» Missile system details for: Japanese Ballistic Missile Defense, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Japan to Allow U.S. Deployment of Patriots
Japan and the U.S. have agreed to deploy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air interceptors at U.S. bases in Japan, reports the AP. The agreement was made earlier this month amid concerns that North Korea would test-launch a Taep’o-dong 2 ballistic missile. According to Japanese officials, the sites and timing for the deployment have not yet been decided. The Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun reported today, however, that the U.S. will deploy three or four PAC-3 batteries as well as 500-600 troops on the southern island of Okinawa by the end of the year.
» More stories on: Allies, Japan
» Missile details: Tien Ma 1
» Missile system details for: Japanese Ballistic Missile Defense, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
U.S. to Deploy PAC-3 at Okinawa
The United States will deploy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptor missiles at the Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, reports Asia Pulse. The deployment will boost defenses against a possible missile strike from North Korea or China. Japan also plans to deploy PAC-3 batteries at bases in the Saitama and Shizuoka prefectures near Tokyo, among other locations.
» More stories on: Allies, Japan
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Lockheed Martin Contract for PAC-3 Upgrades, 112 Interceptors
The U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command has awarded Lockheed Martin a $379 million contract for the production of 112 Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles and upgrades to PAC-3 launchers. Production of all equipment will take place at facilities in Dallas and Lufkin, Texas, and Camden, Arkansas. The PAC-3 is a hit-to-kill theater air defense missile, capable of destroying tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and fixed and rotary winged aircraft. It was battle-tested during the 2003 Iraq War, when all engaged targets were destroyed.
» More stories on: Policy
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Chinese Version of Patriot Interceptor Said Undergoing Tests
China recently tested a new surface-to-air missile in northwest China, which is said to be similar in capacity to the American Patriot interceptor. South Korea’s Dong-A Ilbo cites a recent bulletin from the People’s Liberation Army stating that the test involved the detection and downing of both a reconnaissance drone and an incoming ballistic missile by an interceptor “similar to the U.S. Patriot missile.” According to the Chinese launch commander, “This marks the official launch of the interceptor missile unit. We can intercept not only high-flying reconnaissance planes or missiles but also low-flying targets. Our accuracy is significantly high as well.”
» More stories on: China, Chinese Missile Defenses
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2), Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Patriot Problems Almost Resolved
The U.S. Army has almost completed modifications to its Patriot missile systems in order to prevent future friendly-fire accidents, reports DefenseNews. During the 2003 Iraq War, three friendly-fire deaths occurred when Patriot missiles mistakenly shot down Allied aircraft. On March 9, Lt. General Larry Dodgen, commander of Army Space and Missile Defense Command, said that the Army has upgraded the training of its Patriot crews and added tactical data links to the system that should give them greater awareness of friendly and enemy aircraft. Last year, Congress allowed the Army to shift $43 million in funding to address the problems.
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2), Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Taiwan to Resubmit Bid to Buy Patriots
Taiwan will resubmit its bid to buy Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) surface-to-air missile batteries from the U.S. On Wednesday, National Defense Minister Lee Jye said that the Defense Ministry’s plan will be resubmitted to the Legislative Yuan in March 2007, when the ban on such discussion expires. The current ban is the result of a failed referendum held in tandem with the 2004 Taiwanese presidential election, which stipulates that an issue cannot be put to referendum within three years of a previous one. During the past two years, the opposition-controlled legislature has blocked two bills submitted by the Democratic Progressive Party-led government asking for a special budget to buy six PAC-3 batteries from the U.S., as well as eight diesel-electric submarines and a squadron of 12 P-3C submarine-hunting aircraft.
U.S. Representative Rob Simmons (R-CT) noted on Wednesday that Taiwan is “running out of time” on the U.S. arms procurement deal, as it is uncertain what the next administration’s stance will be on the issue.
» More stories on: Allies, Taiwan
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Lockheed Martin Delivers PAC-3s for Testing
Lockheed Martin recently delivered the first Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Stockpile Reliability Test (SRT) missiles to the U.S. Army, according to a press release. The delivery marked the beginning of Operations and Support phase of the PAC-3 program. During this phase, PAC-3 interceptor missiles are selected from the inventory and disassembled so that major components can be tested to ensure the missiles have maintained their combat readiness.
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
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