Dan’s Biz Bookshelf: ‘Believe in Better'
The Big Picture: Our Big ‘Why’ in the Age of AI
The Chemical Connection: Through-glass Vias in Glass Substrates
Missile System Would Greatly Increase Defense Capability in South Korea
March 29, 2016 | U.S. ArmyEstimated reading time: 4 minutes
Mann also said the Army is seeing a "demand signal' from other areas for such a capability, including from U.S. European Command, U.S. Central Command, and other areas
"If you look at their operation plan, they see a need ... for this capability," he said.
OVERTAXED PATRIOTS
The older Patriot Missile System has a mission similar to that of the THAAD system, though there are many more in the Army's inventory. The Army plans to have up to seven THAAD batteries, for instance, while it currently maintains 15 Patriot Battalions. Nevertheless, Patriot systems and crews are overtaxed, and Mann said it's not prudent to look to the THADD system to relieve that stress.
With just seven planned THAAD batteries, he said, "you have to be so judicious, so careful as to where you deploy THAAD, because you have so few ... of that defense system. It's complementary, but I don't think you are looking at THAAD necessarily as being able to alleviate the stress on Patriot, just by the sheer numbers and where we have Patriot located throughout the U.S., and the world."
Instead, he said, the Army is looking at other options that will enable it to more effectively use Patriot. One solution is purchasing a dismounted command and control system for the Patriot battery to allow for it to serve a wider area -- "instead of deploying a whole battalion we can maximize what that battalion brings to the table by not having to send the whole battalion, but by using the dismounted capability to take different components within the Patriot battalion to different locations and really kind of spread its capability ... on the battlefield."
Mann also said that instead of deploying an entire Patriot battalion -- including all the equipment that supports the launchers and missiles, "maybe we can take a Patriot battery to a location and augment its capabilities by leveraging an Aegis radar, or an Air Force radar, or a coalition radar, and really kind of componentize the Patriot unit and optimize its capabilities across a battle space. Leveraging networks to be able to get the best return on investment, in order to have the best sensor, best shooter mix to address a threat."
Share on:
Suggested Items
Beyond the Board: Orbital High Ground—Why Space Superiority Is Slipping Away
06/17/2025 | Jesse Vaughan -- Column: Beyond the Board“The next war might be won—or lost—22,000 miles above Earth.” That’s not science fiction. It’s the stark reality defense planners are beginning to confront as space transitions from a support domain to a full-spectrum warfighting environment. For decades, the United States held an uncontested advantage in space, relying on exquisite, few, and highly capable systems to enable precision warfare, real-time intelligence, and global communications. Today, that edge is under siege.
L3Harris Providing Additional VAMPIRE Counter-UAS Systems to Department of Defense
06/12/2025 | L3Harris TechnologiesL3Harris Technologies has received a new contract through the U.S. Department of Defense for additional VAMPIRE systems, which neutralize unmanned aerial threats.
BAE Systems Unveils Comprehensive Line of M-Code GPS Receivers at Joint Navigation Conference
06/04/2025 | PRNewswireBAE Systems unveiled a diverse line of M-Code Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver solutions at the Joint Navigation Conference in Cincinnati this week, rounding out an extensive line of products that ensure U.S. warfighters have the most dependable GPS systems available across sea, land, and air.
Another Lockheed Martin-Built GPS III Satellite Lifts Off into Orbit
06/02/2025 | Lockheed MartinThe eighth GPS III space vehicle—designed and built by Lockheed Martin—successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. It achieved signal acquisition shortly thereafter.
U.S. Holiday: Memorial Day
05/26/2025 | I-Connect007Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday dedicated to remembering and grieving for military personnel who died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Held on the last Monday of May, it also marks the unofficial start of summer.