MIM-104C (PAC-2)

The Patriot Advanced Capabilities 2 (PAC-2) missile, MIM-104C upgrade was similar to the PAC-1 upgrade. Radar search algorithms were further optimized, and the beam protocol while in "TBM search" was further modified. PAC-2 saw Patriot's first major missile upgrade, with the introduction of the MIM-104C, or PAC-2 missile

This missile was optimized for ballistic missile engagements. Major changes to the PAC-2 missile were the size of the projectiles in its blast-fragmentation warhead, changed from around 2 grams to around 45 grams, and the timing of the pulse-Doppler radar fuze, which was optimized for high-speed engagements, though it retained its old algorithm for aircraft engagements if necessary.

The missile uses Track-Via-Missile (TVM) guidance in its terminal phase; after being command-guided near the target, the missile passively tracks the target as it is illuminated by the ground-based engagement radar.

A new warhead and dual-mode fuze were added to the missile. The new warhead contains a more powerful explosive and larger fragments designed to place sufficient kinetic energy on the warhead section of threat TBMs (Tactical Ballistic Missiles) to achieve a Warhead Kill. The dual-mode fuze allows the PAC-2 missile to retain ABT performance and also optimize performance against TBM. The system software based on the mission selected for the missile sets the fuze mode.

It was first tested in 1987 and reached Army units in 1990, just in time for deployment to the Middle East for the Persian Gulf War.

In 1993, the Army upgraded Patriot to a support remote launch capability, allowing launchers to be deployed up to 10km from the radar.5 This reportedly quintupled the system’s defended area from 10-20 square kilometers to roughly 50-100 square kilometers.6 Successive upgrades to the system’s Patriot Advanced Capability-2 (PAC-2) missiles and radar achieved further improvements in performance.

In April 2013, Raytheon received U.S. Army approval for a second recertification, extending the operational life of the worldwide inventory of Patriot missiles from 30 to 45 years.

Note: You cannot fire a MIM-104C without a PAC-2 (or newer) system to guide it.