Patriot BMD Effectiveness

Grand Danois

Entertainer
There seems to be some disagreement over Patriot effectiveness vs ballistic missiles. So lets gather some sources and have that discussion.

Discussion points:


I'll open up with the latter.

The data sheet from Raytheon for a quick primer. Yes it is a presentation as the producer wants you to see it.

http://www.raytheon.com/businesses/stellent/groups/public/documents/legacy_site/cms01_048575.pdf


Something more tangible:

Successful Test Flight for Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles

The Patriot Air and Missile Defense System is the world's most advanced ground-based air defense system and is a cornerstone of the U.S. Army's integrated air defense system.
by Staff Writers
Tewksbury MA (SPX) Jun 07, 2006

Raytheon's Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM) destroyed two surrogate ballistic missile targets highlighting a successful test flight at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

The test is the first of four development flight tests to be conducted by the Army's Patriot Lower Tier Project Office using Raytheon's newly developed Patriot system post deployment build-6 (PDB-6) software.

"This flight test is another significant achievement in evolving and enhancing the capabilities of the Patriot system as the combat-proven, premier air defense solution for our warfighters," said Rick Yuse, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) vice president of Integrated Air Defense.

"Without a doubt, this test demonstrated the Configuration-3/PDB-6 system's capability to search, detect, track, classify, engage and kill two surrogate full-body tactical ballistic missile (TBM) targets."

Three Patriot fire units deployed in a battalion configuration supported the evaluation of this mission's objectives. Two GEMs were ripple-fired at an incoming tactical ballistic missile, and as the intercept occurred, the Patriot Configuration-3 radar successfully detected, tracked and engaged a second target.

A third GEM successfully intercepted the second incoming TBM while managing the first intercept. The capabilities incorporated into PDB-6 are the next step in the evolving growth for Patriot. This update is composed of user-requested improvements, planned performance improvements, and improvements that had resulted out of lessons learned from Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Patriot fire units, consisting of the Patriot launchers, engagement control stations and Patriot radar systems, provided the battle management, command, control and communications to ensure the Configuration-3 system achieved test objectives.

The targets for the mission were Patriot-as-a-Target, a Patriot legacy missile modified to represent a short-range ballistic missile target. Test data indicated that seamless communication and data transfer between the Patriot radar, engagement control station, and Patriot launcher enabled the GEMs to destroy both targets.

All tactical hardware for the missions were manned and operated by soldiers of the 1st Battalion of the 7th Air Defense Artillery, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Raytheon IDS is the prime contractor for the Patriot system and the system integrator for the Configuration-3 system that includes the GEM missile. As the system integrator, Raytheon IDS ensures that all Patriot system components provide the warfighter a reliable and lethal capability to defeat the threats in current and future combat environments.

The Patriot Air and Missile Defense System is the world's most advanced ground-based air defense system and is a cornerstone of the U.S. Army's integrated air defense system. Patriot is a long-range, high-altitude, all-weather system designed to defeat advanced threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles.

Combat proven during Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom, Patriot can simultaneously engage multiple targets under the most severe electronic countermeasure conditions.

Integrated Defense Systems is Raytheon's leader in Joint Battlespace Integration providing affordable, integrated solutions to a strong international and domestic customer base, including the U.S. Missile Defense Agency and the U.S. armed forces.

http://www.spacewar.com/reports/Successful_Test_Flight_for_Patriot_Guidance_Enhanced_Missiles.html
 
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Grand Danois

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Another test. One may need filter on the vendor hype. :D

Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 Missile Successfully Destroys Tactical Ballistic Missile In Test

DALLAS, TX, September 8th, 2005 --

Lockheed Martin's [NYSE: LMT] Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile successfully intercepted and destroyed an incoming tactical ballistic missile (TBM) today during a flight test at White Sands Missile Range, NM. The battle-proven PAC-3 Missile is the world’s only fielded hit-to-kill, kinetic energy air defense missile.

During the flight test, designated Task 2-2, two PAC-3 Missiles were “ripple-fired” at an incoming Patriot-As-A-Target TBM, a legacy Patriot missile modified to represent a short-range TBM. Preliminary data indicates the TBM was destroyed and all test objectives were achieved.

“Today’s test demonstrated software improvements in the PAC-3 Missile Segment and associated ground systems,” said Richard McDaniel, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control’s director of PAC-3 programs. “We also demonstrated the system’s capability to detect, track, engage and intercept a threat-representative short-range TBM. No other air defense missile fielded today can protect our Soldiers like PAC-3.”

Patriot warfighters from units at Fort Bliss, TX, participated in today’s mission. This test follows three successful PAC-3 Missile tests conducted in 2004. An additional PAC-3 test is scheduled for 2005.

“We continue to mature our system’s capability to pace the evolving threat,” said Col. John Vaughn, Lower Tier Air & Missile Defense project manager. “Today’s success helped validate several key enhancements we will provide to the warfighter to more effectively defeat these threats.”

Lockheed Martin is the only provider of proven hit-to-kill air defense systems capable of defeating threats potentially carrying biological, chemical and nuclear payloads. The PAC-3 Missile, Terminal High Altitude Air Defense System (THAAD) and the Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS), which utilizes the PAC-3 as the primary interceptor, are elements of the terminal defense layer of the National Ballistic Missile Defense System.

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control is prime contractor on the PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system. The PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the PAC-3 Missile, a highly agile hit-to-kill interceptor, the PAC-3 Missile canisters (in four packs), a Fire Solution Computer and an Enhanced Launcher Electronics System.

The hit-to-kill PAC-3 Missile is the most advanced, capable and powerful theater air defense missile. It defeats the entire threat to the Patriot Air Defense System: TBMs carrying weapons of mass destruction, advanced cruise missiles and aircraft.

The PAC-3 Missile has been selected as the primary interceptor for the multi-national MEADS program. Managed by the NATO MEADS Management Agency (NAMEADSMA), MEADS is a model transatlantic development program focused on the next generation of air and missile defense. MEADS will focus on risk reduction, application of key technologies and validation of a system design incorporating the PAC-3 Missile as the prime interceptor.

The Patriot PAC-3 program is managed by the U.S. Army and executed by the Army Program Executive Office, Air, Space and Missile Defense and the Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Project Office in Huntsville, AL.

Lockheed Martin is a world leader in systems integration and the development of air and missile defense systems and technologies, including the first operational hit-to-kill missile defense system. It also has considerable experience in missile design and production, infrared seekers, command and control/battle management, and communications, precision pointing and tracking optics, as well as radar and signal processing. The company makes significant contributions to all major U.S. missile defense systems and participates in several global missile defense partnerships.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2005/LockheedMartinSPAC3MissileSuccessfu_1.html
 

Grand Danois

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Allright, there are a lots of these, so it stops here.

Lockheed Martin's PAC-3 Missile Intercepts Target in White Sands Test
PAC-3 Missile Perfect In Flight Testing - Seventh Intercept In A Row


DALLAS, TX, March 31st, 2001 --

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas, the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization and the U.S. Army conducted yet another successful flight of a Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) Missile at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., this morning. The intercept by the PAC-3 Missile of a tactical ballistic missile (TBM) target was the seventh consecutive successful intercept for PAC-3. The PAC-3 Missile has a perfect flight test record.

The PAC-3 Missile Developmental Test 8 (DT-8) was the first multiple simultaneous engagement of multiple TBM targets in the test program. Two PAC-3 Missiles engaged a Hera Modified Ballistic Re-entry Vehicle equipped with a simulated unitary warhead. A PAC-2 missile simultaneously engaged a Patriot-As-A-Target (PAAT).

The PAC-3 Missile engagement was the first "Tactical Ripple Mode" launch, where two PAC-3 Missiles were launched at a single TBM target. Both PAC-3 Missiles were fired from the same Patriot launcher, with several seconds separating the launches. The first PAC-3 Missile successfully engaged and killed the target. The second PAC-3 Missile then performed its tactical self-destruct sequence.

Preliminary test data indicate all test objectives were successfully achieved.

"The PAC-3 Missile has a perfect flight test record," said Mike Trotsky, vice president - air defense marketing for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. "This was our most challenging test to date. But the PAC-3 Missile continues to prove itself as the world's most effective and successful air defense missile. For defense against TBMs, cruise missiles or aircraft, absolutely nothing compares to the PAC-3 Missile."

Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas is the prime contractor responsible for the PAC-3 Missile segment upgrade to the Patriot air defense system, which consists of the PAC-3 Missile, the missile canisters, the Fire Solution Computer and the Enhanced Launcher Electronics System.

The PAC-3 Missile has now had nine consecutive successful engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) test flights since 1997. The first two EMD missions were successfully conducted with special instrumentation packages in place of the full-up PAC-3 Missile seeker. The missions were structured to verify critical systems and missile performance prior to conducting target intercept flight tests.

The first PAC-3 Missile target intercept flight was on March 15, 1999. The second followed on September 16, 1999, with the third intercept of a TBM on February 5, 2000. Two successful cruise missile intercepts, on July 22 and 28, 2000, proved conclusively the PAC-3 Missile's ability to detect and destroy low-flying cruise missiles. The sixth successful intercept occurred on October 14, 2000, when the PAC-3 Missile intercepted and destroyed an incoming TBM target.

The PAC-3 Missile entered Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) in December 1999, with two follow-on LRIP contract in calendar year 2000. Several contracts for special hardware and long lead-time items have also been awarded to Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control - Dallas since the beginning of the LRIP phase of the program. Initial fielding of the PAC-3 Missile is planned for later this year.

In addition to the eight successful PAC-3 Missile flight tests, the PAC-3's predecessor missile, the Extended-Range Interceptor, demonstrated three hits in a row during the demonstration/validation program in 1994. Two of those tests involved TBM targets and one involved an air-breathing target (simulating a cruise missile or aircraft).

The PAC-3 Missile is a high velocity, hit-to-kill missile and is the next generation Patriot missile being developed to provide increased capability against advanced theater ballistic missile, cruise missile and hostile aircraft. The PAC-3 Missile kills incoming targets by direct, body-to-body impact. The PAC-3 Missiles, when deployed in a Patriot battery, will significantly increase the Patriot system's firepower, since 16 PAC-3 Missiles load-out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four of the old Patriot missiles.

Located in Dallas, Tex.; Orlando, Fla.; and Sunnyvale, Calif., Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control develops, manufactures and supports advanced combat, missile, rocket and space systems. The company is organized in seven program/mission areas: Strike Weapons, Air Defense, Anti-Armor, Naval Munitions, Fire Control and Sensors, Fire Support and Product Development

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2001/LockheedMartinSPAC3MissileIntercept_2.html
 

Grand Danois

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There are some question remains however - and the most important to what extent was the target damaged? The warhead itself could happely survive...
I guess that kind of detail on BDA are not to be found in the public domain - at least for the time being. Or I might just have missed it.

It can be concluded that it was succesful in defending and neutralising the BMs fired at specific targets. That very essential part was a succes.

Generally, U.S. ABM tests have shown that their radars and seekers can target the warhead itself with hit-to-kill and discriminate between unitary and separating targets and some countermeasures (iirc), just as the missiles are also shown to be accurate enough. They all use hit-to-kill, the only assured way of destroying a wmd warhead, although the PAC-3 also has a warhead for use against air-breathing targets.
 

Firehorse

Banned Member
How many those Patriot batteries are necessary to defend BMD sites in Europe and Alaska?
Report: Russia may arm Baltic fleet with nuclear warheads
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3583460,00.html

Russia considers nuclear missiles for Syria, Baltic
http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/world/9691338.asp?scr=1

The Russians may target NMD interceptor bases in AK & CA from land, sea and air - there is no need to use Cuba as a refueling stop. AK bases are within range of IRBMs from Kamchatka & Chukotka, as well as S/ALCMs. The latter can also be used against those in CA.
 
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Grand Danois

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How many those Patriot batteries are necessary to defend BMD sites in Europe and Alaska?
Report: Russia may arm Baltic fleet with nuclear warheads
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3583460,00.html
It depends on what type of weapon is shot at it. MEADS is designed to counter missiles with a range of up to 2,000 km (if the radar is covering one aspect instead of 360 degrees).

The Russian navy in the Baltic has been equipped with and has trained for nuclear deployment for many years. It is already armed with nuclear warheads!!!

So you should ask yourself why the Russians are presenting this as a new deployment...

Russia considers nuclear missiles for Syria, Baltic
http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/world/9691338.asp?scr=1

The Russians may target NMD interceptor bases in AK & CA from land, sea and air - there is no need to use Cuba as a refueling stop. AK bases are within range of IRBMs from Kamchatka & Chukotka, as well as S/ALCMs. The latter can also be used against those in CA.
As far as Syria is concerned, it is absolute rubbish - people on the internet dreaming dreams or wishing for stuff to happen.

Why are the Russians so busy threarening everybody? Deployment of equipment in embassies (illegal, btw), targeting everybody with nuclear weapons, invading neighbours, stationing bombers; all because a radar and some missiles are deployed in Poland; which cannot shoot Russian ICBM down!
Is the Russians leadership actually looking for a fight? Is a complex inferiority-superiority complex coupled with paranoia?

And no, the Americans already have early warning - DSP and the HAVE STARE at Vardø and the radar at Thule - they don't need the Czech radar for BMEWS.

The Russians are stirring things up!

And this is waaaay of the Patriot topic.
 
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