MIM-104 Patriot vs Sea Cat
The MIM-104 Patriot and the Sea Cat are both Surface-to-Air missiles. The MIM-104 Patriot has a range of 160 km — 29:1 the Sea Cat's 5 km. The MIM-104 Patriot reaches 6,170 km/h vs 988 km/h for the Sea Cat. The MIM-104 Patriot carries a 90 kg warhead vs 10 kg for the Sea Cat. Launch weight is 900 kg for the MIM-104 Patriot vs 68 kg for the Sea Cat. The MIM-104 Patriot uses Dual mode (Ir homing and active radar homing) guidance, while the Sea Cat relies on Fully automatic engagement. The Sea Cat entered service 19 years before the MIM-104 Patriot (1962 vs 1981).
| American surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1981, uses dual-mode guidance to intercept targets at Mach 5. | |
| Origin | 🇺🇸 United States |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Raytheon |
| Service year | 1981 |
| Number produced | 10,000 units |
| Estimated unit price | $7 million |
| British surface-to-air missile, entered service in 1962, has a 5 km range. | |
| Origin | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
| Category | Surface-to-Air |
| Type | Radar-guided surface-to-air missile |
| Manufacturer | Short Brothers |
| Service year | 1962 |
| Number produced | -- units |
| Estimated unit price | NA |
| Range | 160.0 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | Mach 5.0 ◉ |
| Weight | 900 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 90.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 5.30 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 290 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Dual mode (Ir homing and active radar homing) |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
| Range | 5.5 km ◉ |
| Maximum speed | 988 km/h ◉ |
| Weight | 68 kg ◉ |
| Warhead | 10.0 kg ◉ |
| Length | 1.48 m ◉ |
| Diameter | 190 mm ◉ |
| Guidance | Fully automatic engagement |
| Warhead type | High Explosive |
Performance Radar Chart
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has longer range, the MIM-104 Patriot or Sea Cat?
The MIM-104 Patriot has a longer range at 160 km compared to the Sea Cat's 5 km.
Which is faster, the MIM-104 Patriot or Sea Cat?
The MIM-104 Patriot is faster with a maximum speed of Mach 5.0 compared to the Sea Cat's 988 km/h.
Which has a larger warhead, the MIM-104 Patriot or Sea Cat?
The MIM-104 Patriot carries a larger warhead at 90 kg compared to the Sea Cat's 10 kg.
Which is heavier, the MIM-104 Patriot or Sea Cat?
The MIM-104 Patriot is heavier at 900 kg compared to the Sea Cat's 68 kg.
Which is longer, the MIM-104 Patriot or Sea Cat?
The MIM-104 Patriot is longer at 5.30 meters compared to the Sea Cat's 1.48 meters.
What guidance systems do the MIM-104 Patriot and Sea Cat use?
The MIM-104 Patriot uses Dual mode (Ir homing and active radar homing) guidance while the Sea Cat uses Fully automatic engagement guidance.
Which entered service first, the MIM-104 Patriot or Sea Cat?
The Sea Cat entered service first in 1962, 19 years before the MIM-104 Patriot which entered service in 1981.