Raytheon Company has been tasked with performing a major upgrade on the Patriot Integrated Air and Missile Defense System by an undisclosed member of the 13 nations which own and operate it. The direct commercial sales contract, which is worth more than $600 million USD, will enhance Patriot system performance with integration of the latest technologies.
Five NATO countries are among the 13 served by the missile defense system (see photo). The upgrade includes integration of the latest software and computer processing technology, as well as the latest RF/microwave device technology—including gallium-nitride (GaN) solid-state signal amplification. The system provides protection against existing and emerging threats, including aircraft, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
“Patriot saves lives,” says Ralph Acaba, Raytheon’s vice president of Integrated Air and Missile Defense. “Our customer faces a very real, evolving threat. By upgrading Patriot, they will continue to protect their civilians, military, and critical infrastructure.” Since December 2014, the 13 nations sharing the Patriot defense system have invested more than $7.8 billion in procuring and upgrading the missile defense system.
