U.S. to supply Patriot missiles to Ukraine

The Patriot missile system would be the most effective long-range defence sent to Ukraine, able to intercept ballistic and cruise missiles – but not cost effective for bringing down cheap Iranian drones


PATRIOT PAC-3 MISSILE DEFENCE

1 Detection
Multifunction phased array radar searches sky for aircraft or missile threats. Range up to 100km, can track up to 100 targets simultaneously

2 Engagement control station (ECS) 
Weapons control computer determines intercept point, relays data to launcher.
Course can be corrected during missile flight

3 Launcher 
Fires missile towards intercept point. Missiles can be ready to fire in nine seconds

4 Flight 
Missile tracked by radar and guided with help from ECS and its own homing sensors

5 Terminal phase 
Ka-band seeker locks on target, activates flight controls and primes warhead. Target destroyed by kinetic energy released in head-on collision


ECS truck manned by three crew, system also capable of working autonomously

Launcher cost: $10 million

Up to eight launchers, each carrying 16 missiles

Target missile


PAC-3 specifications
Length		5.2m
Diameter	40cm
Warhead		90kg
Speed		Mach 5
Range		70km
Altitude	24km
Cost per missile $4m


Source: army-technology.com
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