Patriot PAC-3: How strong is the US defense system?

Patriot PAC-3 is considered America's most advanced defense shield, capable of accurately intercepting ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and even hypersonic targets.

According to Sputnik, the Patriot system is a surface-to-air guided missile and air defense system currently used by many countries around the world . This is a product developed by Raytheon Corporation (USA) to replace the previous Nike Hercules and MIM-23 Hawk medium and high-altitude air defense systems.

Patriot PAC-3 is not only a shield to protect the US and its allies, but also a symbol of technological level and defense strategy. Photo: US Army

The name Patriot comes from the phrase “Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept On Target”, representing the phased array radar technology to track and intercept targets. The system is considered one of the comprehensive defense shields, capable of countering threats from the air and ballistic missiles.

The first Patriot batteries were deployed by the US Army in the mid-1980s. During the first Gulf War (1991), the Patriot proved its worth by intercepting Scud missiles launched by Iraq. Over the years, the Patriot has been continuously upgraded to adapt to new technologies and modern threats.

With a speed of over 6,000 km/h, Patriot PAC-3 is proving why it is the world's leading missile defense system. Photo: US Army

The Patriot system stands out for its fast response time, ability to attack multiple targets at the same time, high mobility on the ground and good anti-electronic jamming ability. The structure of a Patriot battery consists of 6 main components including power supply center, radar, combat control station, launcher, antenna mast and interceptor missile. The phased array radar is responsible for detecting, tracking and guiding missiles, and supporting fire control with high precision.

The Patriot system has undergone several upgrade phases including PAC-1, PAC-2, PAC-2 GEM/GEM-T and PAC-3/PAC-3 MSE. Of these, PAC-2 uses a proximity fuse to destroy the target, while PAC-3 is specifically designed to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles using direct kinetic energy.

When launched, the Patriot missile is continuously tracked by a phased array radar. In the terminal phase, the missile's active seeker adjusts its flight path to approach the target. With PAC-2, the missile explodes when it gets close to destroy the target, while PAC-3 directly attacks the warhead of the enemy missile, achieving a higher destruction efficiency.

Patriot PAC-3 shows impressive interception capabilities, making all opponents wary. Photo: US Army

Patriot PAC-3 is the most advanced variant today, capable of destroying tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and even hypersonic targets such as Russia's Kinzhal. The missile is about 5 meters long, weighs 312 kg, and has a speed exceeding Mach 5 (more than 6,000 km/h). Each M901 launcher can carry 16 PAC-3 missiles, while the AN/MPQ-65 radar can detect targets at a distance of up to 180 km and control attacks on multiple targets at the same time.

A Patriot PAC-3 system consists of four main components: communications, command and control, radar surveillance, and missile guidance. All components, from the fire control center to the launcher, are mounted on trucks or trailers, creating a mobile, flexible, and highly secure system. The radar is mounted on an M860 trailer, pulled by an eight-wheel M983 HEMTT truck, making it easy for Patriot to deploy on a variety of combat terrains.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/patriot-pac-3-he-thong-phong-thu-my-manh-den-muc-nao-429843.html