US Army has launched Patriot PAC-3 CRI missile during IBCS flight test.

According to information published on the Twitter account of the U.S. Army on July 31, 2021, a Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) surface-to-air missile was launched during the recent successful Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) flight test at White Sands Missile Range.
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A Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) missile is launched during the recent successful Integrated Battle Command System (IBCS) flight test at White Sands Missile Range. (Picture source U.S. Army Twitter)

Developed in partnership with Northrop Grumman, the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) is the centerpiece of the U.S. Army’s modernization strategy for air and missile defense capability. By networking any sensor with the best effector, IBCS will deliver the most advanced, battle survivable command and control (C2) system for U.S., joint and coalition forces, providing revolutionary multi-domain defense capabilities that will enhance lethality against current threats and enable growth to address future threats.

The PAC-3 is an advanced version of the missile used by the Patriot MIM-104 air defense missile system. It is designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft. A Patriot missile system consists of a phased array radar set, an engagement control station, a battery command post, an electric power plant, an antenna mast group, a communications relay group, and launching stations with missiles.

The Patriot PAC-3 Cost Reduction Initiative (CRI) is a variant of the PAC-3 surface-to-air missile featuring an extended range against both air-breathing and ballistic threats among other enhancements. The PAC-3 CRI was first test-launched in 2011.

In August 2019, PAC-3 CRI missile successfully intercepted an Air-Breathing Threat (ABT) at a record distance.

The PAC-3 CRI is a high-velocity interceptor that defends against incoming threats, including tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and aircraft. Eighteen nations have procured the Patriot air defense missile system including the U.S., Israel, Germany, Morocco, Jordan, Kuwait, Japan, Qatar, South Korea, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Romania, Spain, Poland, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates.