Flight test proves ballistic missiles no match for latest Patriot upgrade

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M., Dec. 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- A successful flight test has proved that the latest upgrades to the Raytheon-made (NYSE: RTN) Patriot Integrated Air and Missile Defense system will be able to destroy advanced threats at greater ranges. The upgraded system more effectively employs the newest Patriot interceptor.

The combat-proven Patriot system, upgraded with a suite of improvements collectively known as Post-Deployment Build 8 (PDB-8), successfully tracked and engaged a ballistic missile target with PAC-3 MSE missiles during the test.

"Patriot continues to evolve and improve to outmatch belligerent nations in Europe, Asia and the Middle East, which are constantly improving their weapon systems and tactics," said Ralph Acaba, Raytheon vice president of Integrated Air and Missile Defense. "When fully developed and fielded, PDB-8 will enable Patriot to take more complete advantage of PAC-3 MSE's capabilities."

One upgrade, known as the Radar Digital Processor (RDP), enables the PAC-3 MSE interceptor to realize more of its potential.  The RDP is a ruggedized, commercial, off-the-shelf processor that reduces Patriot's operations and maintenance cost while improving its previously impressive reliability by approximately 40 percent.  RDP is fully digital, which means that its software can be upgraded to address future threats.

In addition to the RDP, PDB-8 also represents the first U.S. Army fielding of the Modern Man Station (MMS), a user interface with color LCD displays, touch screens and soft keys.

Although a number of Patriot partner nations have already fielded MMS and RDP, PDB-8 takes full advantages of the hardware upgrades. As a result, the U.S. Army and other PDB-8 users will have the following features and benefits in their Patriot systems:

• Enhanced capability against a variety of threats
• An improved Identification Friend or Foe capability
• Improved radar search capability
• Improved target detection and identification
• A redesigned Fire Solution Computer, which enables Patriot to take advantage of the PAC-3 MSE missile capabilities
• An Enhanced Weapons Computer, which is projected to provide up to 50 percent more processing power for software enhancements, allowing it to address evolving threats by using commercial off-the-shelf processors

About Global Patriot Solutions

Raytheon's Global Patriot Solutions is the most advanced portfolio of air and missile defense technologies in the world, providing comprehensive protection against a full range of advanced threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles. Patriot is continually upgraded and enhanced to leverage the latest technology. Thirteen nations depend on Patriot as the foundation for their defense. 

About Raytheon

Raytheon Company, with 2014 sales of $23 billion and 61,000 employees worldwide, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 93 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as cybersecurity and a broad range of mission support services. Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Mass. For more about Raytheon, visit us at www.raytheon.com and follow us on Twitter @Raytheon.

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