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May 23, 2012
IWG Report 2009
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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 Range 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.
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.
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» 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)
Dinerman on Missile Defense Needs for 2006
Taylor Dinerman, writing for TheSpaceReview.com, contends that ballistic missile defense is necessary now more than ever, in light of the escalating world conflict with Iran. Dinerman points out that if the pronouncements of Iran’s leaders are any indication, they will be depending on their ballistic missiles to deliver the nuclear weapons they hope to build. If or when Iran decides to use such weapons, the first thing it would likely do is launch strikes against Israel and U.S. regional targets, perhaps followed by attacks on U.S. allies in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Although the U.S. maintains surveillance satellites are capable of locating part of Iran’s missile force, Dinerman stresses that “it takes active weapons to either destroy a missile on the ground or after it has taken off.” Yet “little has been said about the potential for missile defense to blunt [the Iranian threat], or to make it easier for the U.S. launch an attack.” If, as so many western statesmen say, Iran’s nuclear weapons program is unacceptable, “then doing something about it is going to involve more than just diplomacy.”
Dinerman recommends that the U.S. should redeploy its Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptors that performed well against Iraq’s short-range Scud missiles during the 2003 war, positioning them to defend high value regional targets. The PAC-3 units should be joined by Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers armed with Standard Missile-2 and SM-3 interceptors. Both the PAC-3 and Aegis should be integrated with Israel’s Arrow system, which is operational and has proven itself in recent tests.
» More stories on: Analysis, Iran
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Turkey Considering American PAC-3 and Russian S-300 Systems
Turkey is considering the purchase of missile defense systems such as the American PAC-3 and the Russian S-300P, reports DefenseNews. Last October, Turkey’s civilian procurement office, the Savunma Sanayi Mustesarligi (SSM), took control of the country’s theater air defense program, and will soon seek a final go-ahead from Turkey’s top procurement panel, the Defense Industry Executive Committee. Defense News quotes SSM officials as stating that Ankara wants systems with anti-missile capabilities, for it does not expect any serious aircraft threat in the coming years. The two strongest candidates are the American Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), the only tactical ballistic missile defense system with combat experience, and Russian S-300P, which has already been exported to a host of nations. Although Turkey has also considered purchasing the Israeli Arrow-2 system, Israel is said to be reluctant to transfer technology so important to its defensive deterrent.
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), S-300P (SA-10 Grumble)
Japan To Cover One Third of Cost
Japan will shoulder between one third and one half of the cost of building a joint missile defense shield with the U.S. According to officials inside Japan’s Defense Agency, Tokyo and Washington are still negotiating exactly how much each country will cover, although Japan expects to shoulder at least $1 billion of the estimated $3 billion total cost. A central element of the joint missile defense shield is the sea-based Standard Missile-3 interceptor, which will be deployed on Aegis destroyers to defend Japan from ballistic missile attack.
» More stories on: Allies, Japan
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
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