PATRIOT

Description

The Patriot is an Army surface-to-air, mobile, air defense missile system. Since the mid-1960s, the system has evolved to defend against aircraft and cruise missiles, and more recently against short-range ballistic missiles.

The Patriot system was originally designed to operate in Europe against Soviet medium- to high-altitude aircraft and cruise missiles traveling at speeds up to about MACH 2 (1500 mph). To avoid detection it was designed to be mobile and operate for only a few hours at one location.

The Patriot operates as part of a battalion usually composed of six batteries. Each battery is made up of one ground-based radar unit for surveillance and target detection, tracking, and engagement; an Engagement Control Station for manual or automated command and control of the missile interceptors; eight missile launchers; and a Communications Relay Group for communications support. An Information Coordination Center controls the batteries and coordinates their operation with other battalions and higher level U.S. Command authorities.