Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3)

Overview

PAC-3 launch The PAC-3 is the next-generation Patriot missile, employing hit-to-kill technology to intercept and destroy tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and air breathing threats through direct body-to-body contact using a Boeing-built millimeter wave seeker.

Capabilities

  • Precision guidance system, featuring an active on-board radar seeker, enables complete target destruction through the kinetic energy released upon direct impact of the target
  • Absolute destruction of offensive threats and their contents rather than redirection or damaging of the target

Unique PAC-3 technology provides active guidance data to missile, allowing it to:

  • Acquire the target shortly before intercept
  • Select the optimal aim point
  • Initiate terminal guidance to ensure target kill

Delivery Schedule

  • March 2006, Boeing awarded a contract for 124 seekers and miscellaneous hardware
  • November 2002, low-rate initial production (LRIP) phase I completed with delivery of 36 seekers
  • LRIP phases II and III result in additional deliveries throughout 2003 and 2004
  • March 2004, Boeing awarded another contract for additional seeker deliveries through early 2006
  • February 2005, Boeing awarded another contract for additional seeker deliveries through early 2007

For more information, read the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) (PDF) overview.

If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader for reading PDF files, it is available for free from Adobe.