21 Mar 02. The Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile successfully intercepted and destroyed an incoming tactical ballistic missile (TBM) target at White Sands Missile Range, N.M., on Thursday. This was the second Operational Test of the PAC-3 system.Soldiers from the Second Battalion of the 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Ft. Bliss, Texas, conducted launch operations for the test.
In addition to the PAC-3 intercept of the TBM, a PAC-2 missile was fired at an air-breathing target.“The PAC-3 Missile is proven, fielded technology,” said Mike Trotsky, vice president – Air Defense Programs for Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.
“There are no other fielded interceptors that have PAC-3’s power to negate ballistic missiles armed with weapons of mass destruction, as well as cruise missiles and other air threats. The PAC-3 Missile and its first-to- the-field hit-to-kill technology represent an extraordinary success story for our Army and Missile Defense Agency customers.”