Posted by Courtney Howard
TEWKSBURY, Mass., 12 Jan. 2010. The Kuwait Air Defense Forces test fired Raytheon Company's Patriot Air and Missile Defense System against tactical ballistic missiles. The test firings were held at the Udairi Range in Kuwait, in conjunction with other Kuwait Air Defense and Land Forces elements during a joint exercise.
The test firings included a Kuwait Patriot Configuration-2 Plus fire unit with Guidance Enhanced Missiles as the interceptors, which are operated and maintained by Kuwait Air Defense brigade troops. The Patriot system engaged and destroyed two Patriot-as-a-Target missiles, in addition to three foreign Multiple Launch Rocket System-type targets. Both configurations emulate tactical ballistic missiles.
The exercise was observed by senior officials from the Kuwaiti and U.S. governments, including Kuwait Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Sheikh Ahmad Al-Khaled Al-Sabah.
"This test firing showcased the lethal capabilities of the combat-proven Patriot Air and Missile Defense System against tactical ballistic missiles, as well as the strong alliance among the Kuwait Air Defense Forces, the U.S. government and Raytheon in maintaining the readiness and effectiveness of Patriot in Kuwait," says Skip Garrett, vice president and deputy for Patriot Programs, Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS).
"To support our 12 partner nations globally, Patriot continues to add capabilities to counter emerging threats, while providing increased system reliability and reduced life-cycle cost," Garrett continues.
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.
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