Data Acquisition Executive Summary (DAES) Report, PATRIOT PAC-3

PATRIOT, the centerpiece of the Armys corps and theater air defense forces, is an extremely capable high to medium altitude, long range air defense missile system which provides air defense of ground combat forces and high value assets against the air threat of the 1990s and beyond. PATRIOT is designed to cope with enemy defense suppression tactics that may include tactical ballistic missiles TBM, cruise missiles, anti-radiation missiles, advanced aircraft employing saturation, maneuver, sophisticated electronic countermeasures ECM, and low radar cross section. In the Field Army, PATRIOT air defenses will be complemented by short range, low altitude forward area defense weapons and will be integrated with other ground and air assets in the overall air defense of the theater of operations. The system can conduct multiple simultaneous engagements of high performance air breathing targets and TBMs with a high probability of target kill. The system will provide air defense protection in all weather conditions and in hostile ECM environments. At the battery level or Fire Unit FU level, the PATRIOT missile system consists of an Engagement Control Station ECS, one Radar Set RS, an Electric Power Plant EPP, eight Launching Stations LS, and associated communications equipment.