Missile MIM-104 Patriot

The MIM-104 Patriot system originated from earlier U.S. Army development programs for a modern surface-to-air missile. Designated SAM-D in its initial phase, the project successfully engaged a drone target in 1975 and was officially named the Patriot system the following year. Full-scale development commenced in 1976, leading to its deployment in 1984 as a replacement for the older Nike Hercules and MIM-23 Hawk systems. Initially designed as a dedicated anti-aircraft weapon, the system received its first major update in 1988 to provide a limited capability against tactical ballistic missiles. This marked the beginning of a continuous evolution that would significantly expand its mission profile and establish it as a dual-role air and missile defense platform.

The Patriot is a modular, highly mobile air defense system based on four operational functions: communications, command and control, radar surveillance, and missile guidance. Its centerpiece is a powerful phased-array radar that combines search, track, and engagement functions into a single "detection-to-kill" unit. This advanced radar is highly agile and resistant to countermeasures, enabling it to detect and engage a wide spectrum of threats, from low-flying cruise missiles and stealth aircraft to fast-moving ballistic missiles. The system’s capabilities are defined by its interceptors, which have evolved significantly over time. Early missiles used fragmentation warheads for engaging aircraft. The PAC-2 series introduced larger projectiles and refined proximity fuzes optimized for ballistic missile targets. The most advanced PAC-3 missiles feature a Ka-band active radar seeker and employ "hit-to-kill" kinetic energy for direct impact, supplemented by a small explosive "lethality enhancer" warhead to ensure destruction of the target.

Entering operational service in 1984, the Patriot system has been widely exported and used by the United States and numerous allied nations in major conflicts. Its combat debut was in the 1991 Persian Gulf War against Iraqi Scud missiles, where its effectiveness was a subject of intense debate, and a notable software bug led to a tragic failure to intercept. During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, upgraded Patriot systems demonstrated a very high success rate against tactical ballistic missiles, though were involved in several friendly fire incidents. The system achieved its first undisputed shootdowns of enemy aircraft in Israeli service, destroying multiple drones and a Syrian fighter jet. It has been extensively employed by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to counter missile attacks from Yemen. More recently, Patriot batteries have proven highly capable in the Russo-Ukrainian War, successfully intercepting a wide range of Russian missiles and aircraft, including supposedly unstoppable hypersonic weapons, cementing its role as a critical modern air defense asset.