By Duncan Lennox, Editor of Jane's Strategic Weapon
Systems
The Patriot surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems deployed to the
Gulf in January and February this year were in the media spotlight,
particularly due to the controversies associated with the Patriot's
performance in 1991. It is too soon to know the precise results
from the engagements during the recent war in Iraq, but sufficient
information has been made available to describe in outline what
happened.
According to media reports, Iraq launched around 18 missiles at the
coalition forces between 20 March 20 and 4 April. The US Army
states that 13 of these were short-range ballistic missiles (SRBMs)
or large surface-to-surface unguided rockets. The remaining five
were probably cruise missiles. Of the 13 ballistic missiles and
rockets launched, nine were successfully intercepted by a mix of
older Patriot Advanced Capability 2 (PAC-2) missiles, including the
PAC-2 Guidance Enhanced Missile (GEM) and Guidance Enhanced Missile
Plus (GEM+) derivatives, and newer PAC-3 missiles. Of the remaining
Iraqi missiles, three were not intercepted, since they were going
towards empty desert or the sea, and one exploded at launch. It is
believed that the majority of these Iraqi missiles were Ababil-100
(or Al Fatah) and Al Samoud 1/2 ballistic missiles fired at ranges
of between 100 and 150km.
Tragically, two allied aircraft were destroyed by Patriot missiles
during the conflict: a UK Tornado GR Mk 4 and a US F/A-18 Hornet.
In addition, a USAF F-16 aircraft was locked onto by a Patriot
radar, but the aircraft (reportedly assuming it was being targeted
by an Iraqi SAM battery) responded by firing an AGM-88 HARM
anti-radar missile at the radar, destroying the antenna. The
results of detailed investigations are not available, but some
comparisons can be drawn. The ballistic missile and rocket targets
were travelling much faster than any aircraft and had trajectories
outside the atmosphere. The cruise missile targets were similar to
small aircraft and were flying at a similar speed to manned
aircraft. Allied aircraft were fitted with an Identification Friend
or Foe (IFF) system, which should have identified them as friendly
aircraft, and the aircraft would presumably have been allocated
safe lanes to return down from their missions. Patriot systems can
operate in automatic (software-controlled) or manual (human
operator-controlled) modes. The detailed investigations will have
to examine all the tape recordings and establish what did or did
not work, including the possibilities of human error, hardware or
software faults and, of course, the general 'fog of war'.
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