Patriot returns, new and improved

A Patriot missile is launched during the Gulf War
VXtreme Video CNN's Jeff Flock reports

February 16, 1998
Web posted at: 8:47 p.m. EST (0147 GMT)

From Correspondent Jeff Flock

FORT BLISS, Texas (CNN) -- The Patriot missile batteries that the U.S. Army used in the 1991 Persian Gulf War are ready to be deployed in the current Iraq crisis, but within these Patriots is a very different weapons system.

The Patriot systems were heavily praised during the Gulf War for their ability to down Iraqi Scud missiles launched into Saudi Arabia. But there were questions after the war as to how effective the Patriot system really was.

The Army shows off a piece of a downed Scud at Fort Bliss, but it has kept classified how many Scuds were downed by the Patriot system.

"We learned a great deal in the Persian Gulf," said Lt. Col. Rob Jassey, a Patriot battalion commander. "When we deployed over there, we were just in the process of flushing out this new capability against theater missiles. There was a tremendous amount learned."

Multimedia history: The Gulf War Interactive Maps: Forces in the Gulf Iraq's Neighbors: Where they stand Military Databank: America's High Tech Arsenal Allied Forces Iraqi Forces Background: For and against: Where key countries stand

A downed Scud missile on display at Fort Bliss

Since the war, the Army has improved the Patriot software and installed better radar to spot incoming missiles, and it now uses the satellite-based Global Positioning System to deploy the batteries.

The Patriot was originally designed as a defense against enemy aircraft. It was in the Gulf War that it was used against enemy missiles. In effect, it was a bullet shooting a bullet.

Lt. Col. Heidi Brown, a Patriot battalion commander, made history as the first woman to command any combat arms battalion. But she is now thinking about the history yet to be made.

"You know, you're not excited about going to war, but you are excited about the fact that it is your mission, and that you'll have the opportunity to do what you trained to do all the time," she said.

Related stories:

• Israel sets up Patriot missiles amid Iraq tensions - February 2, 1998
• Standoff with Iraq - The Air War
  • Quicktime movie of Patriot missle launch
  • Quicktime movie of Scud missle attack

Related sites:

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• United States Army
• Effect of Patriot Interception on SCUD Warhead
• Fort Bliss Home Page - El Paso, Texas

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