This version of SAM was tested on the range white Sands in September 1986 at intercepting missiles MIM-104 ballisticheskih tactical missiles “lance” at an altitude of about 8 km as a result of the interception after the explosion of the warhead missiles were damaged control surfaces “lance,” she strayed off course and fell to the ground 5 km from the intended target.
The next stage of modernization of the patriot missile, the PAC — 2 was intended to adapt it for the defense from blows of TBR small areas. The task of this version of SAM was not only providing the deviation from the aiming point MAF, and its destruction in the trajectory. Modification of missiles MIM-104 was to improve its combat units and install a new fuse, is able to optimize the time of detonation of the warhead at high speeds convergence. The mass of the striking elements of the warhead was increased from 2 to 45 grams.
Anti-aircraft guided missile MIM-104A American patriot missile:
1 — cobalt coating of the nose fairing; 2 — head ceramic radio transparent fairing of the guidance system; 3 — instrument Bay; 4 — a cover of the hatch of the operational guidance system; 5 — radiating antenna of the radio Fuze of the warhead; 6 — housing compartment of the warhead; 7 — carrying case solid-propellant rocket motors TX-486; 8 — box fairing; 9 — differential aerodynamic control surfaces; 10 — tail cone fairing; 11 — receiving antenna of the radio Fuze of the warhead; 12 — body tail section; 13 — front cowl fairing; 14 — electrical contact starting systems, solid propellant motors; 15,18 — tear elektromontazhni; 16 — nozzle solid propellant motors; 17,19 — command radio antenna; 20 — the screw of the telescopic junction of the compartments
Version of the PAC-2 was tested in range white, Sande in November 1987, when the modified missile MIM-104 was struck by another missile, MIM-104. As a result, the version of the PAC-2 was accepted into service immediately after the implementation of PAC-1 and it was deployed in the middle East in the autumn of 1990 with the goal of providing air defense of Saudi Arabia and Israel from possible air and missile strikes from Iraq.
The lessons learned from the analysis of combat operations in the Persian Gulf, soon became the basis for further improvement of the SAM “Patriot”. Already in 1992 began implementation of the “Quick response”, which performed works on improvement of the radar. Its membership has included a new receiver, have installed the equipment of satellite navigation. At the same time upgraded launcher, that allowed you to place them at a distance of 10 km from the command post of SAM. This increased the persistence of the SAM in terms of the penetration of the enemy using modern weapons of destruction, missiles and their means of control.
Further improvement of the “patriot” was carried out in accordance with the program PAC-3. In the 1995 version of SAM PAC-3 “Configuration-1” in the complex has introduced a new processor, considerably improved characteristics of the radar, and upgraded the station monitoring the situation and clearing-house centre by improving the characteristics of the fire-control computer at the same time SAM completed an advanced missile with increased range of fire GEM (Guidance Enhanced Missile), equipped with high-speed fuse of the warhead and new guidance equipment, provide a larger hit targets (according to some sources, up to 150-160 km) and the efficiency of destruction of ballistic targets.
The modernization of PAC-3 “Configuration-2”, made in 1996, largely concerned about improving the software with the aim of improving the characteristics of the radar. the ability to detect small and low-observable targets, countering anti-radar missiles of the enemy, like domestic anti-radar Kh-58 and KH-31P, and their aircraft-carriers.
Execution of works on further modernization of the PAC-3 Configuration “-3” completed in 2000, during her part of the SAM introduced a number of new electronic elements, improved software, improved characteristics of the radar for determining the start points and drop the MAF. Once again improved, and missile launchers, allowing you to place them at the distance of 30 km from the command post. Simultaneously with the modernization of the “Patriot” the US Army initiated a number of programmes related to the search for possible ways of using previously made missiles MIM-104, which had not succumbed to modernization. One of the proposed concepts received the designation PPS (Patriot Precision Strike), and it is expected that it will allow you to use the MIM-104 in the composition of the tactical missile complex of a class “earth — earth”.
Features of the SAM MIM-104
The maximum diameter of the rocket body, mm ……………………. 416,6
Length of missile, mm …………………………………………………………… 5321,6
The magnitude of the rudders, mm …………………………………………………………… 860,1
The mass of the rocket, kg …………………………………………………………….. 908-914
Weight of missile with container, kg ……………………………………… 1696
The size of the container, m ………………………………………………….. 6,1.x 1,09х0,99
Weight warhead missiles М248, kg ……………………………….. 91
Slant range, km ………………………………… from 3 to 80
Height of defeats the purpose, km ………………………………………….. from 0.06 to 24
Maximum speed, m/s ………………………………………….. 1700 (M=6)
Have a maximum transverse overload, g .. 30,
Steady transverse overload, g ……………………… 20
The duration of the flight, with ………………………………………… from 8.3 to 170
V. KOROVIN, Vladimir MINAKOV