Patriot remains effective against upgraded Russian missiles
Russia has updated its ballistic missiles to enable them to perform terminal trajectory adjustments, but Patriot air defense systems are still successfully intercepting them, Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yuriy Ihnat said on May 27.
In an interview with Babel, Ihnat cited the recent engagement where six of the nine incoming missiles were shot down.
Ihnat said Patriot systems automatically calculate an enemy missile’s flight trajectory and determine where the interceptor missile will meet its target. Although Russian missiles now maneuver laterally during their flight—complicating the task—the systems remain effective.
“We have long observed that Iskander and other Russian ballistic missiles have been flying on trajectories different from those seen at the start of the full-scale invasion, maneuvering and making the Patriot’s work more difficult,” he added.
Additionally, Russian ballistic missiles can launch up to six decoys to confuse air defense radars. Although this technology has been in use for about a year, it does not render the Patriot system ineffective, Ignat maintained.
The military war may be swinging in our favor, but the information war continues.
Just as an army needs soldiers, so does a free society need its journalists to ensure that people have access to honest, trustworthy voices to understand the world around them.
For the past five years, The New Voice of Ukraine has been working tirelessly to push back against Russian narratives and defend democracy. But we cannot do it alone.
Please consider supporting us on Patreon for just $5 a month – your donation does directly to supporting journalists and ensuring that this front of the infowar says solid and defended.
Thank you.
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News
