Site hosted by Angelfire.com: Build your free website today!

Missile Defence Projects



The Patriot Air and Missile Defense System is the world's most advanced ground-based air defense system.

Patriot is a long-range, high-altitude, all-weather system designed to defeat advanced threats, including aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles. Combat proven during Operation Desert Storm, Patriot can simultaneously engage multiple targets under the most severe electronic countermeasure conditions. Since Operation Desert Storm, the United States Department of Defense has invested over $3.0 billion to further improve and extend Patriot ground equipment performance.

Multifunction phased array radar, track-via-missile guidance, and automated operations - including man-in-the-loop (human) override - are the key features of the Patriot system. In addition to the phased array radar, a Patriot Fire Unit is deployed with an engagement control station, an electronic power plant vehicle, an antenna mast group for communications, and up to sixteen remote launching stations. Each launcher contains four ready-to-fire Patriot missiles.

Patriot's lower-tier air defense against tactical ballistic missiles is part of a two-tier U.S. defense against this escalating threat. Internationally, the Netherlands, Germany, Japan, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Taiwan, and Greece field the system.


The AIM-9M Sidewinder is the free world's most advanced infrared-tracking, short-range, air-to-air missile.

Over the years, Sidewinder's effectiveness and all-aspect capabilities have been combat proven in several theaters throughout the world.

Manufactured Since 1964

Raytheon has manufactured Sidewinder guidance control sections continuously since 1964 and has provided Allied nations with equipment for in-country missile repair. Since 1971, Raytheon has been the U.S. Navy's Development Industrial Support Contractor. More than 45,000 Sidewinder guidance sections have been delivered by Raytheon.

Performance over AIM-9L

The AIM-9M provides significant performance improvements over its predecessor, AIM-9L. These include advanced countermeasure features, improved identification of targets against background clutter, improved tracking against low signal level targets, and a reduced-smoke rocket motor.

The AIM-9M is configured for easy installation on a wide range of modern tactical aircraft, including the F-4, F-5, F-14, F-15, F-16, and F/A-18 fighters; the A-4, A-6, A-7, AV-8B Harrier, and A-10 attack aircraft; and the AH-1 helicopter. It is also integrated on the JAS-39 Gripen, JA-37 Viggen, the Sea Harrier, Tornado, and Jaguar.

Raytheon Sidewinder reliability has been thoroughly demonstrated, consistently achieving 400% over contractual MTBF requirements.