Raytheon Co. has completed its initial delivery of Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile Plus (GEM+) forebodies to the US Army.
GEM+ is a significant upgrade over the existing Patriot Advanced Capability -2 (PAC-2) missile and, when fielded in conjunction with the PAC-3 System, provides a robust capability against ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft and remotely piloted vehicles.
These forebodies, which were delivered two months early, are from the initial lot of 148 that are currently under contract to the US Army Aviation and Missile Command in Huntsville, AL.
The Patriot GEM+ missiles are part of an upgrade program to the Patriot system that includes the fielded PAC-3 ground equipment upgrades and the new PAC-3 missile.
GEM+ missiles are PAC-2 missiles that are refurbished and modernized at Raytheon's Andover, MA, manufacturing facility.
Through the upgrade process, older components are replaced, new technology inserted and reliability increased. A modernized fuse is added that provides significant performance improvements against tactical ballistic missile targets, and a new low noise front end is inserted to increase the seeker's sensitivity and improve acquisition and track performance against smaller radar cross-section targets.