Software Tweak Enabled PATRIOT Systems to Intercept Hypersonic Missiles in Ukraine: Raytheon Chief

A software tweak has enabled PATRIOT missile defense systems to intercept hypersonic missiles in Ukraine, according to Gregory J. Hayes, chairman and chief executive officer of Raytheon Technologies which manufactures the PATRIOT.

In comments quoted by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), Hayes has said, “Ukraine adjusted the software of the PATRIOT air defense system so that it could track and destroy hypersonic missiles flying twice as fast as it was designed for.”

The WSJ article titled, “How the U.S. PATRIOT Missile Became a Hero of Ukraine War,” speaks of how the PATRIOT systems operated by Ukrainian crew intercepted dozens of Russian missiles including the famed Kinzhal (‘Dagger’ in Russian language).

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Raytheon wants to significantly increase Patriot production to 12 systems per year. It plans to produce five more battalions of Patriot air defense systems for Ukraine by the end of 2024.

Hayes said the company was “very impressed with the effectiveness of the Patriot system, which, together with other air defense systems, helps to intercept almost 90% of Russian targets.”

Ukraine currently has at its disposal PAC-2 missiles, which use an explosive fragmentation warhead to hit an aerial target, and PAC-3 missiles, which destroy a missile or aircraft at high speed by a direct kinetic strike.