"Patriot" PAC-III Mobile Surface-to-air missile system

Details: Category: Anti-Aircraft Systems

"Patriot" PAC-III Mobile Surface-to-air missile system © Konstantinos Panitsidis

Photos from the personal collection of Konstantinos Panitsidis

Entered service with the Air Force in 2003 (HAF)
Military index: MIM-104
The Hellenic Air Force signed an agreement on January 17, 2022 with the Greek company Intracom Defense (IDE) on the modernization of the Patriot air defense system and the installation and integration of electronic equipment.

This is actually the third phase of modernization of the A / D system "Patriot", in order to further improve its anti-ballistic and anti-aircraft capabilities (including "Stealth" targets).

Missele ERINT (Extended Range Interceptor) © Konstantinos Panitsidis

Missele ERINT

The Greek Air Force is armed with three version of missiles:
- MIM-104A Patriot - to intercept aerodynamic targets.
- MIM-104B SOJC Patriot - Standoff Jammer Countermeasures
- MIM-104D Patriot - to intercept ballistic targets.

Manufacturer	Raytheon	Raytheon	Raytheon	Raytheon	Raytheon
Type (anti-aircraft guided missile)	MIM-104	MIM-104A	MIM-104B SOJC	MIM-104D GEM	ERINT
Diameter, mm	400	400	410	410	254
Length, мм	5230	5180	5310	5310	4826
Weight, kg	-	700	910 (912)	900	316
Warhead weight, kg	-	91	91	-	24
Length of the transport and launch container, mm	6100	6100	6100	-	-
The width of the transport and launch container, mm	1070	1070	1070	-	-
Height of the transport and launch container, mm	1000	1000	1000	-	-
PERFORMANCE
Maximum speed, m/s	1700	1260	-	1701,45	-
Average speed, m/s	1000	-	-	-	-
Maximum transverse overload, g	30	20-30	30	-	+30
Range, km	3-160	3-70	80-100	160	-
Maximum altitude of target interception, km	-	0,06-24,2	0,06-25	24-25	20-24

It's main components are:

- Information Coordination Center (ICC)
- Radar set (AN/MPQ-65)
- Engagement Control Station (ECS)
- Launching Stations M901
- Communication facilities
- Sources of energy supply

Patriot PAC-III: The Patriot air defense system mainly consists of: the AΝ/MPQ-65 radar, the ΑΝ/MSQ-104 fire control station and the M901 missile system (launchers) © Konstantinos Panitsidis

Patriot PAC-III: The Patriot air defense system mainly consists of: the AΝ/MPQ-65 radar, the ΑΝ/MSQ-104 fire control station and the M901 missile system (launchers). The Hellenic Air Force anti-aircraft artillery battery consists of six artillery battery and includes up to six launchers with four missiles each (36 launchers in total).

Radar AN/MPQ-65

Manufacturer	RAYTHEON
Type	Multifunctional radar station
Type array	Phased antenna array
Maximum range, km	170
Sector of view in search mode (in azimuth)	from +45 to -45ο
Tracking sector in the guidance mode through the missile in azimuth	from +55 to -55ο (according to other data 120о)

The station provides almost simultaneous detection, identification and tracking of 90 to 125 air objects. The AN/MPQ-65 radar is mounted on a two-axle semi-trailer weighing 15 tons and is transported by an M818 tractor unit. Wavelength range 4-6 GHz

The probability of hitting a target 0.9 with an radar cross-section (RCS) of 0.1m2 is 60-70 km, for a rocket with RCS 0.5m2 -80-100 km, for a fighter with RCS 1.5m2 - 110-130 km and for a bomber with an RCS of 10m2 - 160-180 km. Detection time 8-10 s.

AN/MSQ-104 Engagement Control Station

AN/MSQ-104 Engagement Control Station – placed in a container and mounted on the chassis of an M814 vehicle. The combat crew of the command post consists of 2-3 operators.

Antenna Mast Group (AMG) © Konstantinos Panitsidis

Means of communication: An Antenna Mast Group (AMG)

Means of communication: Communication Relay Group (CRG).

Manufacturer	RAYTHEON	RAYTHEON
Chassis	ΜΑΝ	ΜΑΝ
Length	10,67 m	9,74 m
Width	2,44 m	2,62 m
Height	3,66 m	3,31 m
Weight	15.976 kg	16.800 kg
Characteristics (systems)
Type	Antenna Mast Group (2 masts with 4 antennas)	Communication Relay Group
Range (broadcast)	60 km	30 km
Maximum Antenna Height	28,65 m	-

The Engagement Control Station (ECS) unit can control up to 16 Launching Stations which can be dispersed and remotely operated inside a 30 km radius.

The M901 Launching Station (four missiles on each launcher in transport and launch containers), It is based on a two-axle Μ860 semi-trailer and is transported by a M983 wheel tractor weighing 10 tons.

Missile launcher M901: The mechanism for guiding the launcher in azimuth provides rotation of the lifting boom from 0о to 180о, and the mechanism for lifting the launcher is 38 degrees