The United Arab Emirates is to acquire Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) missiles as well as associated equipment and services. The delivery of the missile system would make the UAE the first Middle Eastern country to possess the PAC-3, manufactured by the Lockheed Martin Corp.
The UAE purchase is part of a USD 774 million Pentagon contract, in which Lockheed will supply PAC-3 missiles to the US Army as well as the first sale to the UAE. Deliveries are to be completed by July 2011.
Lockheed Martin expects more than USD 1.8 billion in PAC-3 missile-related business by the time the delivery is completed.
"The PAC-3 missile offers the UAE combat-proven hit-to-kill lethality to protect critical capabilities and national assets," Lockheed Martin's vice president Dennis Cavin said.
He noted, "PAC-3 Missile Segment performance and lethality are the premier technologies available to provide defense against the threats facing our forces and allies today and well into the future."
The PAC-3 in defense jargon is a 'hit-to-kill' weapon - meaning it actually strikes its target, rather than just exploding nearby. The missiles use rocket motors to steer - as opposed to little wings. The PAC-3 has its own built-in radar to determine the location of a mobile target.
Each PAC-3 battery comes with up to eight launchers, holding 16 missiles each, as well as a control station, a radar set, a power plant, a maintenance center and an antenna array - all of which are carried on a separate trailer.
Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor for the PAC-3 missile, while Raytheon supplies the Patriot launcher and radar.
The PAC-3 system was used in the 2003 US-led invasion of Iraq.The missile system is also sold to the Netherlands, Germany and Japan.
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Topic: UAE to buy 'hit-to-kill' PAC-3 missiles (Read 497 times)