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| 4 The Sophistication of the US Patriot PAC-3 Which Has More Modern Radars and Missiles |
International Military - The Patriot PAC-3 missile system is designed to engage tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft. The Patriot PAC-3 missile is also equipped with hit-to-kill technology for greater lethality against tactical ballistic missiles (TBM) with weapons of mass destruction.
Patriot PAC-3 is an acronym for the Advanced Capability-Three (PAC-3) Phased Array Tracking to Intercept of Target (PATRIOT) Program. So the Patriot PAC-3 is an air defense with a long-range missile system, which operates at medium to high altitudes and all weather.
The Patriot PAC-3 missile system consists of a phased radar array, control station, battery command post, power plant, antenna mast group, communication relay group, and missile launcher station.
Here are 4 sophistication of the Patriot PAC-3 missile system
1. More Powerful Radar System
The Patriot PAC-3 missile system has a more powerful radar that is better at distinguishing targets than the Soviet-era S-300 system used in Ukraine. The Patriot PAC-3 radar has enhanced detection and tracking ranges and is able to distinguish between different missile threats.
The Patriot PAC-3 radar can distinguish targets, whether the aircraft is manned or not, including some ballistic objects carrying weapons. The Patriot PAC-3 radar software also ensures that ballistic missiles with chemical warheads or pre-launched submunitions can be destroyed at certain altitudes.
2. New Missile More Deadly
The Patriot PAC-3 system uses the new MIM-104F missile, smaller in size and agile maneuverability. The MIM-104F missile destroys the target by hitting it directly with a longer range of about 40 km at an altitude of 20 km.
The MIM-104F missile has a small High Explosive Fragmentation (HE-FRAG) warhead to increase the ability to destroy targets. This is because the Patriot PAC-3 missile is designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and advanced aircraft.
3. More Number of Missiles
The Patriot PAC-3 system has a larger number of missiles, due to its smaller size compared to the Patriot PAC-2. In one aluminum canister can contain 4 MIM-104F missiles, and the Patriot PAC-3 system usually carries 4 launcher tubes, for a total of 16 missiles instead of 8 like the Patriot PAC-2.
The launcher units work independently and have their own power and fuel generators. It took 30 minutes to prepare the Patriot system for firing. The launcher battery and associated support vehicle can reposition up to several times a day.
4. Build a Layered Defense Network
The Patriot PAC-3 missile system is part of a triple missile defense network. The first line of defense comes from AEGIS missiles, which are designed to disable ballistic missiles in space. If this fails, the ballistic missiles are intercepted by the THAAD anti-ballistic missile system, just as they are re-entering the atmosphere. The final layer of defense is the Patriot PAC-3 missile.
The PAC-3 system can defend against all types of ballistic missiles, but is less effective against aircraft and air-to-surface missiles. This is the reason the patriot PAC-3 is deployed alongside the Patriot PAC-2 launcher with long-range missiles.