US Army tested Patriot’s latest PDB-8 upgrades 42011153.

The test simulated two ballistic missiles attack. In the first one, the Patriot air defence system operators fired two different missiles. One PAC-3 and one GEM-T, which destroyed the incoming threat. At the second engagement, a while later, the operators fired two GEM-T missiles which were once again successful in destroying the simulated ballistic missile attack.

What stands out in the PDB-8 improvements from previous versions are the Modern Man Station (MMS) and the Radar Digital Processor (RDP). The first one is equipped with LCD displays, touch screens and soft keys, while the RDP is a ruggedized COTS processor which increases reliability by 40%.

Both the MMS and the RDP have been fielded by many nations. However, the PDB-8 improvement combines both of them taking full advantage of their capabilities. Therefore, the PDB-8 will provide to the users enhanced capabilities against all sorts of threats; improved IFF capability; better radar search and, target detection and identification; a redesigned fire solution computer taking advantage of the full capabilities of the PAC-3 SME missile; and an enhanced weapons control computer with 50% more processing power.