How Did the Patriot Perform?

(Jane's) - Duncan Lennox Iraq launched 18 missiles at coalition forces between 20 March and 4 April. The U.S. Army states that 13 were short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs) or large surface-to-surface unguided rockets. The remaining five were probably cruise missiles. Of the 13 ballistic missiles and rockets launched, nine were successfully intercepted by a mix of older Patriot Advanced Capability 2 (PAC-2) missiles and newer PAC-3 missiles. Of the remaining Iraqi missiles, three were not intercepted, since they were going towards empty desert or the sea, and one exploded at launch. It is believed that the majority of these Iraqi missiles were Ababil-100 (or Al Fatah) and Al Samoud 1/2 ballistic missiles fired at ranges of between 100 and 150km.


2003-05-08 00:00:00

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