Back to the 1970s when concerns over the increasing threat of ballistic missiles grew
The US Army started the Advanced Surface-To-Air Missile System program to develop a new defence system against ballistic missiles
The program aimed to provide defence against Soviet ballistic missiles targeting key military installations and population centres in the United States and its allies
That is how the MIM-104 Patriot system came into existence
It is believed that the heart of the system, known as the “Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target”, is behind the tremendous success of this missile
The MIM (Mobile Interceptor Missile)-104 Patriot revolutionized air defence through the integration of cutting-edge technologies
Commencing full-scale development in 1976, the system swiftly deployed to crucial military locations across the United States, beginning in 1984
Remarkably, the Patriot system superseded both the Nike Hercules and the MIM-23 Hawk systems
The Patriot SAM system underwent multiple iterations and upgrades throughout the years, aiming to enhance its effectiveness and address emerging threats
The Patriot equipment includes four major operational functions, which are communications, command and control, radar monitoring, and missile guidance