Ballistic Missile Defense. Computation of Number of Patriot PAC-3 Interceptors Needed is Flawed,
Abstract
The theater missile defense mission is to protect U.S. forces deployed overseas and U.S. allies and friends from theater ballistic missile attacks. According to BMDO, an improved defense capability is urgently needed because of the increasing proliferation of theater ballistic missile weapon systems and technology to countries with the potential to threaten U.S. and allied theaters of operations. BMDO has established as its top priority a "core program" of improvements for TMD consisting of the Theater High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), seabased lower tier, and PAC-3. During the past decade, there have been a series of upgrades to give the Patriot, which was originally designed to destroy aircraft, a capability against theater ballistic missiles. In July 1988, Patriot was modified to give it an initial ballistic missile defense capability, called PAC-1. During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, a new version of the Patriot interceptor, called PAC-2, was deployed to defend against Iraqi Scud missiles. The Army also began the Guidance Enhancement Missile (GEM) program to make interim engineering improvements to the Patriot interceptor. Army plans call for 345 GEM interceptors, with initial delivery scheduled in 1995. (MM)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA293474
Entities
People
- Bob Crowl
- J. K. Spencer
- Leon Gill
- Stan Lipscomb
- Troy Thompson
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office