The new US Missile Segment Enhancement interceptor

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For the sake of efficiency and to meet the evolving threat, modernization of Patriot (Phased Array TRacking to Intercept Of Target) systems, is a mandatory requirement, or else these systems will not remain effective against the growth and sophistication of the air and ballistic missile threats that are being tested, developed and deployed around the world.

Incorporation of the new Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) interceptor into the fleet will require Patriot Radar upgrades. Modernization of the front end seeker, software/hardware upgrades and introduction of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense Battle Command System (IBCS) will make the Patriot System more efficient and effective for future threats.

All of this modernization of the Patriot System requires testing, certification and validation before it can be implemented into the field downrange. To do any of this, there must to be a dedicated testing Battalion with full equipment and soldiers stationed in Fort Bliss for 12 month rotations to properly test at McGregor Testing Range and White Sands, New Mexico.

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Withdrawing a battalion for testing puts even more strain on the limited U.S. Patriot Battalions that logically cannot reduce its 12-month deployments for its Soldiers to nine months anytime soon. Our U.S. Soldiers in the Air Defense Artillery Branch will need to continue sacrificing under these long deployments until there relief arrives for this mission deemed so critical by our combatant commanders and allies.

What is desperately needed is urgency. Urgency for more capability, more manpower, and most of all more real trust and partnership in integrated Air and Missile Defense within the GCC, Korea, and Japan so that they can share the burden, and move towards taking the full responsibility for defending their countries

This effort must be coupled with political leadership and courage to wean those countries from dependence on U.S. Air and Missile Defense by giving them the tools, the training, the capability, and most of all the information to be true partners. We have proven we can do it with our NATO allies.

The demand is high and growing, the supply is limited. Something has to give – and it should not be our Soldiers.

Written by: Riki Ellison, Chairman & Founder, Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance