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August 29, 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.
Successful Test of Patriot, THAAD Radar
The Missile Defense Agency today completed another successful test of the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 interceptor, at White Sands Missile Range. The test was described as “the most complex flight test scenario to date for PAC-3,” with some six missiles in the air at one time. Also of significance is that the test included the use of radar for the separate, Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) ballistic missile system. Tests of THAAD are set to resume in 2005.
» MDA press release on PAC-3 test
» Orbital description of Storm Maneuvering Tactical Target Vehicle
» More stories on: Land-Based Systems, Testing - American
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
Pro-China NSC Staff Delaying Patriot Sale to Taiwan
Pro-Chinese staff members of the White House National Security Council are said to be delaying the sale of Patriot missile defense interceptors to Taiwan—systems essential to the island’s deterrence of China’s rapid missile buildup. East Asia Intel reports that the “pro-China faction,” argues that since Taiwan’s military is infiltrated by Chinese agents, China could acquire additional classified technology.
» More stories on: Allies, China, Taiwan
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Patriot Offered to India
The U.S. is giving India the opportunity to purchase the Patriot air and missile defense system. The offer came during a visit by Asst. Sec. of State Christina Rocca visit to discuss the U.S.-Indian “strategic partnership.”
News reports suggest that the sale may be part of an attempt to convince India to join the larger American missile defense effort. It is unclear what role India might have. While the Patriot is of modest value against medium and longer range missiles, India could perhaps be a useful basing location for missiles launched from either Iran, Pakistan, or China, depending on the missile’s target.
The report is not the first word of a possible Patriot sale to India. Congressman Crowley urged the same in May of this year.
Russia has also offered to sell India their comparable system, the S-300.
» May 25, 2004: Crowley urges PAC-3 sale to India
» Feb. 5, 2004: Russia offers India S-300V
» More stories on: India
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Patriot Interceptors to go to Kwangju, South Korea
The 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade from Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas are now working to relocate to the South Korean city of Gwang-Ju (Kwangju) where they will man the new Patriot missile defense interceptors being deployed there, to defend against attacks from the North. The interceptors are said to be deployed at both the Kwangju Airport an airport in nearby Yosu, and a seaport in Kwangyang. The troops’ redeployment is said to be complete sometime in November.
» More stories on: Allies, Deployment
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Patriot Test Successful: Scores Hits Against Ballistic and Cruise Missiles
The Patriot Advanced Capability 3 interceptor today successfully intercepted and destroyed two targets, one a short range ballistic missile, the other a cruise missile, reports a Lockheed Martin press release. The test took place at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.
The ballistic missile destroyed was actually an older Patriot modified to simulate an enemy missile, called a Patriot-As-A-Target (PAAT). The other target destroyed simultaneously with the Patriot was a MQM-107D cruise missile. The PAC-3 launcher “ripple-fired” two Patriots, shortly after one another, with each going to their respective targets.
The test was described as the fifth successful “ripple-fire” of the PAC-3 missiles against ballistic missiles, including both flight testing and in combat.
» More stories on: Land-Based Systems, Testing - American
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
PAC-3 to go to Allies by End of 2004
The sale of the Advanced Capability-3 version of the Patriot Interceptor will likely be arranged with a number of other countries by year’s end, according to a report from Lockheed Martin and the Department of Defense. The sale of the PAC-3 has been discussed with a number of Middle Eastern and European countries, but the most likely prospects in 2004 are Japan, Taiwan, and the Netherlands.
» More stories on: Allies
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Two Additional Patriot Batteries to go to South Korea
Soldiers departing from the U.S. Camp Casey in Dongducheon, north of Seoul, South Korea, will soon be replaced by a Patriot missile defense unit from Fort Bliss, Texas. Five hundred troops from the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade will man the units, to be stationed in Osan. Two Patriot brigades will be added, bringing the total batteries of Patriots in South Korea to eight. Each Patriot battery has six to eight launchers; each launcher can hold four PAC-2 missiles or 16 PAC-3 missiles.
» More stories on: Allies
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2), Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Naval Version of PAC-3 Under Consideration
A Naval version of the PAC-3 missile defense system is currently under consideration, with a study being done by the Pentagon of its feasibility. Such an interceptor would be capable of being mounted on Aegis ships, and be integrated with the Aegis radar and tracking systems.
» More stories on: Policy, Sea-Based Systems
» Missile system details for: Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Athens Deploys Patriot Missile Defenses for Olympics
In preparation for the August Olympics, Greece has deployed dozens of the American Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) air and missile defense system at three sites around Athens, as well as additional interceptors near the more northern city of Thessaloniki and on the island of Skyros in the Aegean Sea. Lieutenant Colonel Agamemnon Koliakos is quoted as saying that the Patriots form “an anti-missile umbrella formed in the Athens region for the protection of the Olympic Games.” The Patriots will remain on alert until October 5.
» More stories on: Deployment
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Taiwan: Send BMD Faster
Taiwanese Defense Minister Lee Jye has asked the United States to more quickly deliver the multibillion dollar arms package to the small island, including especially the missile defense systems. Lee commented that China’s increased military deployment is what is prompting him to ask for an accelerated delivery.
As noted before on Missilethreat.com, the slow timetable (2019) slated for the delivery of the PAC-3 missile defenses is no match for China’s large arsenal of over 500 short range missiles already deployed near Taiwan, a collection which it continues to increase at a current rate of 75 missiles per year.
» March 3, 2004: 2019 delivery of PAC-3s is no match for Chinese offensive deployments
» April 2, 2004: Lacking defenses, Taiwan to develop offensive missile to deter China
» More stories on: China, Taiwan
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
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