where are israels' patriot missle batteries and why are they not using them?

Answer 1

Basically the Patriot missile batteries were designed to stop high-altiude aircraft, cruise missiles and theater (Scud) ballistic missiles. with speeds of Mach2 to Mach8.

Contrary to what the guy above me said the Patriots (the PAC-1 and PAC-2 models anyway) are worthless against ICBMs because they fly so fast (Mach18) that by the time the Patriot reaches the target zone and explodes (the warhead of the Patriot PAC-1/2 is a proximity explosive) the ICBM would have flown past already (this also explains some of the intercept failures during Desert Storm). The Patriot PAC-3 uses improved kinetic energy hit-to-kill technology but can still only be considered as a last ditch anti-ICBM weapon, and in any event Israel has yet to recieve PAC-3 missiles from the USA.

At the other end of the scale the Katyusha-type rocket missiles fired by Hezbollah are too small, fly too slow (Mach 1.8 or thereabouts) and too low for the Patriots (from PAC-1 to PAC-3) to successfully intercept them.

Essentially Israel aint using them because its like using a sledgehammer to swat a fly (though then again their bombing campaign now reminds me of exactly the same image).

Answer 2

In short, Patriot Missiles were not designed for the Katayusha rocket.

The kat. is a short range surface to surface rocket. These rockets are (relatively) small. Also they are launched and detonate in a relatively short distance. Everything the Patriot system was not designed for.

The Patriot missile was designed for ballistic missiles, mainly ICBM's and IRBM's. These are much larger and have a larger range, allowing more tracking by the Patriot's radar system allowing it to accurately target the incoming missile.

A bettter defensive weapon would be the THEL (Tactical High Energy Laser). It has shot down Kat. missiles and even artillery shells during testing.

Answer 3

This is about total domination of the world for oil and profit and insurance..The Patriot missle in the first Gulf war was a dismall failure but we saw the CNN pics when the odd one hit something and we bought it.

Answer 4

The missles are too small from what I heard. They are smaller and fly for a shorter time than the Scuds that we shot down in the Gulf War.

Answer 5

I find it strange myself that I have heard of no instances of their use this time around. i do not know if the fact that the Hezzies have 22,000 Katusha rockets they have decided to see if they can knock out a few thousand with air strikes. The last time around they were about 50% effective. That would mean that Israel would have to possess at least 44,000 patriots.

Boaz

Answer 6

Hey sure, let's tell everyone where all the defensive missiles are located. But first don't forget to tell them where all the Command, Control & Communications centers are located. That way they only have to use half their offensive weapons.

Answer 7

Using that system, would be the equivalent of sending a cruise missile up a camels butt. The Hezbollah are using a WWII weapon, that flys to low and to short of a distance to use it....

Answer 8

they have limited missle defense systems, and the rockets that are being fired at them are to small for those systems to do any good. better idea is to allow them to fire the rockets, track them with radar, which will give you direction to area fired from, return fire. . . after that its just hoofin it to the black smoke, unpack the weenies and roasting sticks and enjoy the bbq,.

Answer 9

the patriot missles will not work on surface to surface rockets

Answer 10

Not necessary for an isolated crisis with Hezbollah.