MIM-104F (PAC-3 CRI)

PAC-3 refers to a major Patriot upgrade effort that includes substantial ground-system changes and (critically) a new interceptor missile (commonly "PAC-3" / MIM-104F) derived from the ERINT concept, designed from the outset for improved TBM defense and also capable against air-breathing threats.

The PAC-3 missile is a high velocity hit-to-kill, surface-to-air missile capable of intercepting and destroying tactical missiles and air-breathing threats.

The PAC-3 upgrade is a significant upgrade to nearly every aspect of the system. It took place in three stages deployed in 1995, 1996 and 2000, and units were designated Configuration 1, 2, or 3.

Unlike all previous variants that used blast-fragmentation warheads, the PAC-3 uses "hit-to-kill" technology—destroying the target through sheer kinetic impact. It is much smaller (10 inches in diameter vs. 16 inches), allowing 16 missiles to be loaded onto a single launcher instead of 4. It features an active Ka-band radar seeker for terminal guidance and 180 solid-fueled attitude control motors (ACMs) in its nose for extreme maneuverability.

It uses a solid propellant rocket motor, aerodynamic controls, attitude control motors (ACMs), and inertial guidance to navigate. The missile flies to an intercept point specified by its ground-based fire solution computer embedded in the ECS. Target trajectory is updated during missile flyout through means of a radio frequency uplink/downlink. Shortly before arrival at the intercept point, the missile’s on-board Ka-Band seeker acquires the target and selects optimal aimpoint initiating terminal homing guidance. The PAC-3 missile’s destructive capability is significantly increased against air-breathing threats through employment of a Lethality Enhancer.

The PAC-3 upgrade carried with it a new missile design, nominally known as MIM-104F and called PAC-3 by the Army.

More info:

• Army Recognition - Patriot MIM-104F