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MIM-104 Patriot

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The MIM-104 Patriot is a US medium range surface-to-air missile system manufactured by the Raytheon Company. Conceived in the 1960s and developed from 1976 for anti-aircraft use. It was adapted from 1988, following its deployment in 1984, for a more demanding ballistic missile role as PAC (Patriot Advanced Capability). The weapon is famous for its use in the Gulf War, although GAO research indicates it produced a moral-boosting effect rather than actually intercepting any attacks.

The Patriot system is built around a combined transporter-launcher carrying 32 missiles. The missiles are carried in batches of four in a M-901 container; transport is provided by a M-860 semi-trailer. Together with the missiles a seperate trailer transports the MSQ-104 engagement control station.

The missile itself is semi-active radar-homing (SARH), 5.31 meters-long, weighing 900 kg and powered by a solid-propellant rocket motor at speeds up to Mach 5. It is armed with a 91 kg blast-fragmentation warhead with a proximity fuse. Effective range is around 70 km.

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