Patriot PAC-3 Successfully Intercept a Cruise Missile

[Major Shaitan Singh]

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Patriot PAC-3 Assisted by JLENS, Successfully Intercept a Cruise Missile Target

Lockheed Martin’s PAC-3 Missile successfully intercepted and destroyed a cruise missile target yesterday at the Utah Test and Training Range, in an unprecedented interoperability demonstration utilizing the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor (JLENS) and the PATRIOT system.

The test demonstrated a new capability recently introduced with the PAC-3 Missile Segment’s unique ability to detect, track, engage and destroy a cruise missile target at extended range in an integrated air and missile defense architecture that joins netted sensors and missile defense systems to provide greater capability for the warfighter.

PAC-3 has already demonstrated the ability to defeat cruise missile in 2004, as a single Lockheed Martin PAC-3 Missile was fired at a low-flying MQM-107D cruise missile target. The main challenge in defeating the cruise missile target is the detection and tracking of such low-flying targets. Back then the PAC-3 relied on ground-based sensors to spot the targets. However, often in realistic scenarios, an intercept of a cruise missile under these conditions would be considered merely as a ‘lucky shot’. JLENS turns the table in favor of the defender.



the JLENS system developed by Raytheon consists of two tethered 74-meter aerostats. One aerostat elevates a surveillance radar to 10,000 feet, providing 360-degree coverage out for hundreds of miles over land and sea. The other aerostat elevates a fire-control radar. Each of the aerostat platforms has the capability to integrate other communications and sensor systems.

JLENS provides a ‘look down’ sensor that can better monitor large areas, even over contoured or mountainous terrain, providing the PAC-3 with the data for reliable target acquisition. The system completed the first demonstration test (DT1) in February, successfully proving its ability to track targets and integrate with fire control and tactical data link systems. At the time, Mark Rose, program director for JLENS with Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems explained: ”In addition to detecting and tracking targets, the system demonstrated its ability to communicate targeting data over command and control systems, such as Link-16, and interface with combat identification support systems, such as IFF (Identify Friend or Foe), to discriminate between friendly and hostile aircraft and missiles.” these capabilities were essential to the success of the recent intercept.



“The PAC-3 Missile continues to be successful against today’s modern threats, and is ready for tomorrow’s modern plug-and-fight air and missile defense architectures,” said Richard McDaniel, vice president of PAC-3 programs at Lockheed Martin’s Missiles and Fire Control business. “This effort moves us closer towards achieving the U.S. Army’s vision of a truly integrated Air and Missile Defense System.”

[BLACKEAGLE]

The PAC-3 upgrade carried with it a new missile design, nominally known as MIM-104F[citation needed] and called PAC-3 by the Army. The PAC-3 missile evolved from the Strategic Defense Initiative's ERINT missile, and so it is dedicated almost entirely to the anti-ballistic missile mission. Due to miniaturization, a single canister can hold four PAC-3 missiles (as opposed to one PAC-2 missile per canister). The PAC-3 missile is also more maneuverable than previous variants, due to 180 tiny pulse solid propellant rocket motors mounted in the forebody of the missile (called Attitude Control Motors, or ACMs) which serve to fine align the missile trajectory with its target to achieve hit-to-kill capability. However, the most significant upgrade to the PAC-3 missile is the addition of a Ka band active radar seeker. This allows the missile to drop its uplink to the system and acquire its target itself in the terminal phase of its intercept, which improves the reaction time of the missile against a fast-moving ballistic missile target. The PAC-3 missile is accurate enough to select, target, and home in on the warhead portion of an inbound ballistic missile. The active radar also gives the warhead a "hit-to-kill" capability that completely eliminates the need for a traditional proximity-fused warhead. However, the missile still has a small explosive warhead, called Lethality Enhancer, a directional warhead which launches a stream of low-speed steel fragments in the direction of the target in order to make the missile cross-section greater to enhance the kill probability. This greatly increases the lethality against ballistic missiles of all types.
The PAC-3 upgrade has effectively quintupled the "footprint" that a Patriot unit can defend against ballistic missiles of all types, and has considerably increased the system's lethality and effectiveness against ballistic missiles. It has also increased the scope of ballistic missiles that Patriot can engage, which now includes several intermediate range. However, despite its increases in ballistic missile defense capabilities, the PAC-3 missile is a less capable interceptor of atmospheric aircraft and air-to-surface missiles. It is slower, has a shorter range, and has a smaller explosive warhead compared to older Patriot missiles.

[LeGenD]

PAC 3 is a battle-proven system. Probably the best in the world in its class.

[BLACKEAGLE]

PAC 3 is a battle-proven system. Probably the best in the world in its class.

Yes, it's a very effective system but it's strictly made as anti-missile system with 70 km range with hitting target missiles in their terminal stage of flight unlike Thaad and S-400 which are better in my opinion.

[LeGenD]

Yes, it's a very effective system but it's strictly made as anti-missile system with 70 km range with hitting target missiles in their terminal stage of flight unlike Thaad and S-400 which are better in my opinion.

I am talking about 'class' here.

And PAC 3 can also down aircrafts. All ABM systems can.

[BLACKEAGLE]

I am talking about 'class' here.

And PAC 3 can also down aircrafts. All ABM systems can.

the missile still has a small explosive warhead, called Lethality Enhancer, a directional warhead which launches a stream of low-speed steel fragments in the direction of the target in order to make the missile cross-section greater to enhance the kill probability. This greatly increases the lethality against ballistic missiles of all types. However, despite its increases in ballistic missile defense capabilities, the PAC-3 missile is a less capable interceptor of atmospheric aircraft and air-to-surface missiles. It is slower, has a shorter range, and has a smaller explosive warhead compared to older Patriot missiles.

[LeGenD]

the missile still has a small explosive warhead, called Lethality Enhancer, a directional warhead which launches a stream of low-speed steel fragments in the direction of the target in order to make the missile cross-section greater to enhance the kill probability. This greatly increases the lethality against ballistic missiles of all types. However, despite its increases in ballistic missile defense capabilities, the PAC-3 missile is a less capable interceptor of atmospheric aircraft and air-to-surface missiles. It is slower, has a shorter range, and has a smaller explosive warhead compared to older Patriot missiles.

1. Ballistic Missiles move faster then Aircraft, which PAC 3 can intercept.

2. PAC 3 missiles might be smaller then those of its ancestors but they are highly accurate.

3. Even birds can be lethal to Jets and we are talking about missiles here.

[BLACKEAGLE]

1. Ballistic Missiles move faster then Aircraft, which PAC 3 can intercept.

2. PAC 3 missiles might be smaller then those of its ancestors but they are highly accurate.

3. Even birds can be lethal to Jets and we are talking about missiles here.

Yes they can intercept jets, but they were made solely for intercepting missiles. It's more of a kinetic with a very small explosive head unlike Pac-2. Therefore, jets could get hit but not shot down.

[LeGenD]

Yes they can intercept jets, but they were made solely for intercepting missiles. It's more of a kinetic with a very small explosive head unlike Pac-2. Therefore, jets could get hit but not shot down.

I find this hard to believe, given the vulnerability of Jets to collisions in the air and resulting damages.

[Mercenary]

I thought the Arrow was the best in the world

[BLACKEAGLE]

I thought the Arrow was the best in the world

I don't it's better than Thaad or S-400. But it's better than Patriot pac 3 since Israel already had it but turned to develop Arow system though. It has greater range as well as height ceiling.

[Mercenary]

I don't it's better than Thaad or S-400. But it's better than Patriot pac 3 since Israel already had it but turned to develop Arow system though. It has greater range as well as height ceiling.

Isn't Arrow is a missile interceptor system and S-400 and Thaad are attack systems.

[BLACKEAGLE]

Arrow (missile)
Operational
range 90 km (56 mi) – 148 km (92 mi)
Flight ceiling 50 km (31 mi) – 60 km (37 mi)
Speed Mach 9, means 2.5 km/s (1.6 mi/s)
Guidance
system Dual mode: passive infrared seeker and active radar seeker
Steering
system Thrust vectoring and four aerodynamic control moving fins
Accuracy Within 4 m (13 ft) of the target


Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
Operational
range >200 km
Speed 2.8 km/s


S-400 (SAM)
Operational
range 400 km (40N6 missile)
250 km (48N6 missile)
120km (9M96 missile)
Flight ceiling 185 km
Boost time cold launch ejection system
Speed Mach 12.0
Guidance
system inertial guidance with radio command corrections

120km (9M96 missile)
Description: The 9M96 is a family of advanced Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs) designed to engage a wide range of aerodynamic and ballistic targets in the most severe clutter and jamming environments with unprecedented effectiveness. The new missile is able to intercept targets at a maximum speed of Mach 15 (4,800-5000 m/s) and at a maximum altitude of 35,000 meters. The 9M96 missile family was developed for integration on the Russian Triumf next generation air defense system. The Russian Air Force seeks to field a 9M96 derivative designed to perform long range air-to-air engagements. The Fakel Design Bureau (MKV Fakel), a part of Almaz-Antey Concern, is responsible for the 9M96 missile family.

The 9M96 missile features an active radar homing head backed by target updates provided by the launch unit's radar system as well as an Inertial Navigation System (INS) for midcourse guidance. Its cold launch consists of the missile being ejected 30 meters above its canister and thereafter the rocket motor ignites. A Thrust Vectoring Control (TVC) system based on gas flow provides an impressive maneuverability over other current anti-aircraft missiles. So far, the two existing missile variants have a maximum range varying from 40 kilometers to 120 kilometers.

The 9M96E missile variant can hit airborne targets at ranges of up to 40 kilometers and flying at 20,000 meters of altitude. Its blast fragmentation warhead weighs 24 kg and utilizes a radiofrequency fuze. Stored in its sealed canister has a service life of 15 years that can be extended. Both 9M96E and 9M96E2 missiles share many components and are similar in terms of weight and dimensions with the 9M96E being equipped with a less powerful rocket engine.

Isn't Arrow is a missile interceptor system and S-400 and Thaad are attack systems.

No!
Thaad and Arrow as well as Patriot Pac-3 are anti-missile systems. But S-400 have both anti-missiles and anti-air missiles. Plz, read this post.

[BLACKEAGLE]

S-400

9M96E and 9M96E2 (Almaz-Antey). (Medium-Range Missile)

[500]

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I don't it's better than Thaad or S-400. But it's better than Patriot pac 3 since Israel already had it but turned to develop Arow system though. It has greater range as well as height ceiling.

These are different class systems:

Pac-3 - 20 km altitude
S-400 - 30 km altitude
Arrow-2 - 50-60 km altitude
THAAD - 150 km altitude

Israel is developing now David's Sling missile which will be the analogue of Pac-3 and Arrow-3 which will be the analogue of THAAD. This will make 4 layer defence:

Iron Dome
David's Sling
Arrow-2
Arrow-3