What is Patriot PAC-3?

About Patriot PAC-3 Missile:

• The Phased Array Tracking to Intercept of Target (PATRIOT) Advanced Capability-Three (PAC-3) program is a surface-to-air-defenseguided missile system with all-weather capabilities.
• It has been built by Raytheon Technologies Corp and is considered one of the most advanced air defense systems in the U.S. arsenal.
• It entered service with the US Army in 2001 and the US Air Force in 2003.
• It has been exported to Germany, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Poland, Qatar, Romania, South Korea, Sweden, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates.
• It is designed to counter tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft.
• Features:

o The combat element of the PATRIOT system is the fire unit, primarily consisting of a radar set (RS), an engagementcontrol station (ECS), and launching stations (LS). 

o The RS provides airspace surveillance, target detection, discrimination, identification, classification, simultaneous tracking of targets, missile guidance, and engagement support.

o The LS has a load-out capacity of between 12 and 16 PAC-3 missiles, depending on configuration. 

o It uses hit-to-kill technology, rather than a blast-fragmentation warhead, to destroy agile targets. 

o It has a range of about 40 km and can reach targets at an altitude of up to 20 km.

Q1: What are ballistic missiles?

Ballistic missiles are powered initially by a rocket or series of rockets in stages, but then follow an unpowered trajectory that arches upwards before descending to reach its intended target. Ballistic missiles can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads

Source:Japan's Patriot Missile Export to US Triggers Russian Warning