Patriot tactical missile upgrades to be provided by Raytheon

Posted by John McHale
TEWKSBURY, Mass., 30 April 2011. U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) officials at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., selected Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS) to provide Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile-Tactical, or GEM-T, missiles.
The $58.3 million contract calls for Raytheon to upgrade 131 Patriot Advanced Capability-2 missiles to the GEM-T configuration. This is a follow-on contract as part of AMCOM's Patriot missile continuous technology refreshment program initiated in 2000.
"These continuing upgrades speak to the critical role Patriot plays in our 12 partner nations' air and missile defense capabilities," saysSanjay Kapoor, vice president for Patriot Programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). "This cost-effective alternative makes it possible for them to increase their air and missile defense capabilities, using existing Patriot systems."
The Patriot GEM-T missile upgrades include the replacement of select components that increase reliability and extend the service life of the missile. GEM-T upgrades are ongoing under existing contracts with the U.S. and other Patriot partner nations and are performed at Raytheon's Integrated Air Defense Center in Andover, Mass.
Raytheon IDS is the prime contractor for domestic and international Patriot Air and Missile Defense Systems and system integrator for Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles.