Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
July 30, 2010
IWG Report 2009
Independent Working Group Report: Missile Defense, the Space Relationship, and the Twenty-First Century. »»
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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.
Successful Japanese Missile Defense Test
Japan successfully intercepted a dummy ballistic missile in a joint exercise with the U.S. on Thursday at the White Sands missile range in New Mexico. This follows a similar successful intercept in a joint exercise with the U.S. in December.
The ground-to-air test used the PAC-3 system. Japan's rising interest in Patriot missile batteries as a component of a more comprehensive missile defense system has been primarily due to security concerns about North Korea.
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Final Report on America's Strategic Posture
The Commission on the Strategic Posture of the United States has released its final report to Congress. It offers some encouraging news and recommendations about the continued development and viability of missile defense in theater, but also leaves much to be desired in its discussion of missile defense deployments, the possibility of an EMP attack, and the desirability of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. The "on the one hand, on the other hand" style of the report seems to reflect a division of opinion over the proper approaches to strategic policy.
The chapter on missile defense opens by noting that "Missile defenses are an integral part of the strategic posture of the United States after the Cold War." Iran and North Korea are identified as the two "missile threats of most immediate concern." The commission mentions both the deterrent effect of a missile defense system and its potential for shielding and reassuring allies.
These capabilities may contribute to deterrence by raising doubts in a potential aggressor's mind about the prospects of success in attempts to coerce or attack others. They may contribute to assurance of allies, by increasing their protection and also reducing the risks that the United States would face in protecting them against a regional aggressor.
The commission "strongly supports continued missile defense cooperation with allies" Such as Israel and Japan. This cooperation involves missile defense systems designedto combat short- and medium-range missiles, such as THAAD, PAC 3, and the sea-based Aegis system. Citing current plans to deploy 96 THAAD and 133 sea-based SM-3 interceptors, the commission states that "these numbers should be reviewed if the threat from North Korean or Iranian missiles increases." The gradual expansion of Iranian, Chinese, and North Korean missiles would indeed seem to warrant such a review. Yet these systems may also need to be supplemented by others to form a global and layered defense.
The Commission expresses less confidence in the Ground-Based Interceptors (GBIs) currently deployed in California and Alaska, with ten additional interceptors slated for deployment at a third site in Poland.
This system has demonstrated some capability against unsophisticated threats and should undergo additional system testing to determine its effectiveness against more complex threats that include technologies intended to help in-coming missiles penetrate the defense (so-called penetration aids). Further development and deployment...should depend on results of these tests and on developments in the ICBM threats facing the United States and its allies.
No single system is capable of defending against all threats of course. Yet the Commission misses an opportunity to explore the significant advantages offered by a multi-layered missile defense system.
The Commission recommends that missile defense policy should balance the need for national defense with the "legitimate concerns of Russia and China about strategic stability." In other words, a vigorous pursuit of defensive capabilities might lead Russia or China to "take actions that increase the threat to the United States and its allies and friends," such as enhancing their own arsenals or proliferating missile technologies to others.
The commission ends its report with a discussion of EMP:
Lastly, the United States should take steps to reduce the vulnerability of the nation and the military to attacks with weapons designed to produce electromagnetic pulse (EMP) effects. We make this recommendation although the Commission is divided over how imminent a threat this is. Some commissioners believe it to be a high priority threat, given foreign activities and terrorist intentions. Others see it as a serious potential threat, given the high level of vulnerability.
A recommendation for the hardening of America's electrical grid follows. The report leaves unmentioned the potential a multi-layered missile defense system might have in meeting the threat of EMP.
» Strategic Posture Report 2009
» More stories on: Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Weapons
» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD), Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), Aegis Ship-Based BMD, Kinetic Energy Interceptor (KEI), Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
UAE to Purchase THAAD
GulfNews reports this week that the United States intends on selling three new THAAD, Theatre High Altitude Area Defense, systems to the United Arab Emirates. THAAD is a U.S. ballistic missile ground based defense system that is currently undergoing field testing. It has been deployed in very limited numbers to U.S. troops, but is already in demand.
The deal is also costly, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency quoting the price near $7 billion. The exchange includes PAC-3 Patriot Missiles and Blackhawk Helicopters in addition to other smaller missiles. The demand points to Emirate concern over the Iranian threat.
» Missile system details for: Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
Successful Patriot Test
The latest live-fire test of the Patriot (PAC-3) interceptor was successful, taking place at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, according to a press release by Raytheon. The test did not include an intercept attempt of another missile, but was rather designed to test new software and other equipment. The exercise was the second in a series of tests to evaluate the new interceptor.
» More stories on: Testing - American
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Japanese Deployments
Jiji Press has reported that Japan deployed Patriot (PAC-3) missile defenses at the military base on the Ibarako prefecture, just north of Tokyo on Saturday. This marks the fourth and final deployment of Patriots aimed at protecting Tokyo from North Korea and China. The Japanese defense ministry has remarked that there is no "emergency significantly affecting the country's national security," but plans to further deploy the American developed PAC-3s at 11 Japanese bases by March 2011.
» More stories on: Japan
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Japan Plans Patriot PAC-3 Drills in Tokyo
On November 25, the Japanese Defense Ministry announced it will conduct Patriot (PAC-3) missile deployment exercises at about 10 locations in Tokyo to test how the capital could be defended from a ballistic missile attack. The exercises are meant to determine the best locations for Japan's Self Defense Forces (SDF) missile defense units, which would be activated and deployed in Tokyo in the event of an emergency.
Currently, the only deployed PAC-3 interceptors are 40 kilometers away from downtown Tokyo, at the Iruma Air Base. The interceptors' 15-20 kilometer range would therefore be insufficient to protect possible targets such as the Prime Minister's office, the Diet and the Imperial Palace. The government would rely on early warning technology to immediately deploy missile interceptors to the new sites in the Tokyo to protect the central part of the city.
Japan's layered missile defense systems involve a blend of sea-based assets including Aegis-equipped destroyers and ground based PAC-3 interceptors.
» More stories on: Japan
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
First PAC-3 Missiles Delivered to the Netherlands
Lockheed Martin delivered the first Patriot (PAC-3) defensive interceptors to government and military representatives of The Netherlands. The Netherlands was the first international customer to buy the PAC-3 interceptor in 2005. "Today, The Netherlands is proud to be the first international launch customer for the PAC-3 Missile, just as it is proud to have been an international launch customer of the Patriot weapon system," said Major General Alexander Besselink, Director of Weapon Systems and Agencies for The Netherlands Defence Materiel Organisation. "With the introduction of full PAC-3 capabilities, the Netherlands is prepared for the future and, together with the United States, continues to be at the forefront of air defense." Currently, Germany, Japan, Israel, Kuwait, Taiwan, Greece, Saudi Arabia and Spain have deployed Patriot missiles.
» More stories on: Allies
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Israel Plans to Expand Defenses
Israel is preparing a new multi-layered missile defense system, reports the July 11 edition of Jane's Defence Weekly. The current backbone of Israel's missile defense is the Arrow terminal defense system. The Arrow-2, an upgrade of the original Arrow with U.S. assistance, continues under development, as is a new Arrow-3, which would have the capability to intercept missiles at a higher altitude and distance, enabling several interception attempts in case of a miss. In addition, the government may purchase the advanced PAC-3 theater missile defense system. To defend against short-range and smaller rockets from Hamas and Hezbollah, Israel is working on the "Iron Cap" system—a kinetic energy, all-weather interceptor capable of engaging multiple threats with a cheap radio-frequency seeker inside its radome. The Iron Cap could be deployed within 30 months and is also relatively cheap to produce at only one percent of the cost of a PAC-3 system.
» More stories on: Israel
» Missile system details for: Arrow, Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Successful PAC-3 Test at White Sands
The successfully conducted another intercept test of the Patriot (PAC-3) interceptor at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico on July 18. The test was against a low-flying, air-breathing target, which was intercepted and destroyed by a PAC-3 missile. The test demonstrated the system's capability to detect, track, engage and destroy a cruise missile-type target. "After a number of successful tests against Tactical Ballistic Missile threats, PAC-3 has once again demonstrated its ability to also defend against low-flying, air-breathing threats in an increasingly more challenging battlefield environment," said Richard McDaniel, PAC-3 Missile program director at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
» More stories on: Testing - American
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)
Japan Orders 16 PAC-3 Missiles from U.S.
Japan has ordered sixteen Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) interceptor missiles from the U.S., reports the October 11 issue of Jane’s Defence Weekly. The Pentagon informed Congress of the planned $144 million deal on September 29. The main supplier would be defense contractor Lockheed Martin. The proposed deal follows a similar notification issued in September 2004 involving the sale to Japan of 20 PAC-3 missiles with associated equipment and services valued at up to $79 million.
» More stories on: Japan, Allies
» Missile system details for: Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3), Japanese Ballistic Missile Defense
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