Integration of the PAC-3 Missile Segment into the Patriot Air Defense System,

The Patriot Air Defense System has been developed as a modular system with a high level of integrated software-driven functionality providing a broad range of inherent flexibility. The system has evolved from its initial, basic design which provided defense against the air breathing threat in complex countermeasure environments with a single Patriot missile type to the Patriot Advanced Capability 2 PAC-2 which provides defense against a combination of the air breathing and tactical ballistic missile threats utilizing four missile types. The Patriot Air Defense System continues to evolve to the Patriot Advanced Capability 3 PAC-3 configuration which incorporates radar and communication upgrades as well as the Lockheed Martin Vought Systems LMVS PAC-3 missile, a fifth missile type. As part of this capability, scheduled to be fielded in 1999, the Patriot Project Office PPO and the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization BMDO have contracted with Raytheon for the integration of the PAC-3 Missile Segment into the Patriot Air Defense System. The goal of this program is to achieve a balanced design that provides a fielded capability which maximizes the kill potential of the PAC-3 missile while maintaining overall performance of the Patriot System. The modular hardware design and flexible software architecture of the Patriot Air Defense System supports a system design which meets this goal.