The origins of the PATRIOT missile defense system actually go way back to the 1960s. It can be traced back to the development of the “Army Air Defense System for the 1970s”, which changed its name to “Surface to Air Missile Development” in 1964. The name changed again to the “PATRIOT Air Defense Missile System” in 1976, though this was after the first successful SAM launch. That took place in 1969.
Although PATRIOT has a long legacy, the original missile defense system has little in common with its modern counterpart beyond a name. It’s undergone constant updates over the years. In fact, the whole system is arguably a bit like the Ship of Theseus. According to Raytheon, which manufactures the PATRIOT system, everything aside from heaters, cooling fans, and a few other minor parts has been modernized over the last few years. Raytheon itself claims it has “continually embraced new technologies to stay ahead of evolving threats.”
This constant upgradability is a feature of the system, which is “flexible and designed in a manner that allows it to be continually upgraded and improved.” The company also has a “defined growth path” for the Patriot system, which should see it stay at the forefront of missile defense technology until at least 2048. The constant upgrades make sense when you consider how much military tech has changed over the years. New types of missile, new generations of aircraft, and the increased use of drones are all things PATRIOT has had to adapt to.
