what is a patriot missle

The MIM-104 Patriot is a surface-to-air missile system that is the primary such system used by the United States Army and several allied states. It is manufactured by the U.S. defense contractor Raytheon and is capable of defeating both high-performance aircraft and tactical ballistic missiles. The Patriot missile defense system consists of six major components: a missile, launcher, radar set, control station, power generator unit, and high-frequency antenna mast. A typical Patriot battery includes a phased array radar, an engagement control station, computers, power generating equipment, and up to eight launchers, each of which holds four ready-to-fire missiles. The Patriot system was initially designed as an anti-aircraft system, but newer variants are capable of engaging ballistic and cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and aircraft. The Patriot system is considered one of the most advanced air defense systems in the U.S. arsenal. The Patriot missile system was first deployed in the 1980s and has undergone continuous upgrades since then. The Patriot missile system is currently deployed with the military forces of 18 countries, including the United States, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Israel.