Spain to get $2.8 Bn of PATRIOT Configuration-3+ modernized fire units.

On October 4, 2023, the US State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Spain. The proposed sale, valued at an estimated $2.8 billion, includes the acquisition of 4 PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units, including 51 PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhanced (MSE) missiles, 24 PATRIOT M903 launch stations, 4 AN/MPQ-65 radar sets, 4 AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Stations, 2 Information Coordination Central (ICC) units, 8 Antenna Mast Groups, 4 Electrical Power Plants, and 4 Energy Power Units.
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PATRIOT PAC-3 missile launcher (Picture source: US DoD)

Additionally, the package includes communications equipment, tools, test equipment, range and test programs, support equipment and services, training equipment, spare and repair parts, personnel training, New Equipment Training (NET), Technical Assistance Field Team (TAFT) support, Flight Test Support and Targets, US Government and contractor technical assistance, engineering, and logistics support services, Systems Integration and Checkout (SICO), Battalion Demonstration, field office support, and other logistics and program support elements.

The primary component of this proposed sale is the Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept of Target (PATRIOT) Missile system. Designed to protect ground forces and critical assets against advanced aircraft, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles (TBM), the PATRIOT system has been a cornerstone of air and missile defense (AMD) systems globally.

At its core, the PATRIOT system's combat element comprises the fire unit, which consists primarily of a radar set (RS), an engagement control station (ECS), and launching stations (LS). The RS provides essential functions such as airspace surveillance, target detection, discrimination, identification, classification, simultaneous tracking of targets, missile guidance, and engagement support. The LS is responsible for missile transport and launch functions and can be remotely operated from the ECS. The PAC-3 missile initially fielded in 2001, introduced hit-to-kill technology, which enhances its effectiveness against tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs), cruise missiles, and aircraft.

The latest addition to the PATRIOT system is the PAC-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE), which was fielded in 2015. It represents the next generation of the PAC-3 missile and offers improved battlespace performance against evolving threats. With a higher-performance solid rocket motor, modified lethality enhancer, more responsive control surfaces, upgraded guidance software, and insensitive munitions improvements, the PAC-3 MSE enhances the system's overall capabilities.

The ongoing modernization efforts for the PATRIOT system aim to provide greater resilience against advanced threats, leveraging the expanded engagement area afforded by the PAC-3 MSE interceptor. Moreover, the PATRIOT system is transitioning to a networked architecture known as the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System.

The PATRIOT Configuration-3+ Modernized Fire Units proposed for Spain also includes the Post Deployment Build-8 (PDB-8) software upgrade. PDB-8 introduces a range of enhancements, including redesigned fire control computers, increased processing power for weapons control computers, software improvements to radar search, target detection, and identification, as well as a revamped user interface called Warfighter to Machine Interface (WMI), which employs 3D graphics to render the terrain and airspace.

The incorporation of WMI, developed in partnership with Raytheon engineers and soldiers, seeks to simplify the user interface and provide operators with a more intuitive and effective means of managing complex defense system data. This innovative interface has been designed to improve operator reaction times and reduce the potential for errors during engagements. Furthermore, the introduction of WMI is expected to expedite the training process for operators, ensuring a more rapid and effective integration of the system into Spain's air and missile defense capabilities.

The PDB-8 upgrade offers improved threat response, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) capabilities, radar search functionality, target detection, and identification. The redesigned Fire Solution Computer enables the system to fully leverage the capabilities of the PAC-3 MSE missile, while an Enhanced Weapons Control Computer provides up to 50 percent additional processing power to address evolving threats.