US Patriot vs Russia’s S-400 – which is better?
The Patriot and S-400 are highly sophisticated air defense systems that have the ability to intercept and neutralize wide range of aerial threats. These systems use advanced radars and sensors to detect and track incoming threats, and can launch interceptor missiles to destroy them before they can cause any damage. The Patriot is a designed by Raytheon and it’s name is derived from the radar used in the system. A single patriot battery consists of radar set, an engagement control station, launcher station, antenna mast group, and interceptor missiles themselves. The Radar finds and tracks targets, and helps the missiles hit their targets accurately. The Engagement Control Station calculates trajectories for interceptors and controls the launch sequence. The Launcher Stations hold and launch the missiles. The Antenna Mast Group is the main communications backbone for the whole unit. The Patriot is armed with a variety of missiles capable of destroying variety of aerial threats.
While, S-400 Triumf is built by Russia as an upgrade to the S-300 family. The S-400 is composed of various components that work together to achieve its target. The first component is a launch vehicle, which carries the missiles. The second component is a command and control post mounted on a vehicle, serving as the system’s heart. Finally, the system comes with a set of radars with varied ranges to intercept targets from multiple directions at high altitudes. The Patriot is outfitted with a passive electronically scanned array radar. It can track up to 100 targets within a range of 93mi. On the other hand, S-400 uses a combination of radars with varied ranges. The 96L6E radar is particularly notable for its ability to detect and track low-flying cruise missiles and fighter jets within 186mi. The Grave Stone radar is another impressive sensor, which can detect and track ballistic missiles and stealth aircraft within 249mi of range. While the Big Bird acquisition radar can locate and identify 300 targets simultaneously within the distance of 373mi.
The missile can travel at speeds over 3,150mph with flight altitude of 15mi, and has a range of more than 99mi. It has range of 37mi and can engage incoming targets at high altitudes with speeds over 3,150mph. Whereas, S-400 system is armed with a variety of missiles mounted on a truck. For long range engagement, the system is armed with 40N6E missile, which is equipped with active radar homing to intercept air targets with blistering speed of 2,700mph. This missile has claimed range of 249mi and can target high value spy or support aircraft . How does it work? The patriot’s radar detects a target and gathers information about it’s location, speed, and trajectory. The radar sends data to a command center, where operators assess it and decide if an approaching object is hostile. Once the engagement is authorized, the launcher fires two missiles in a “ripple” 4.2 seconds apart to destroy the incoming object.
On the other side, the S-400 system operates by initially identifying a target through the use of suitable radars at hand. The information is then passed to the command and control center, which determines whether the target is friendly or hostile and chooses to engage the target. Subsequently, with the assistance of the engagement radar, the suitable missile is launched to neutralize the threat. For detailed conclusion, watch the complete video.
Credit to : Grid 88
