Defensive Missile Interceptor?

Question

During the first conflict with Iraq (Senior Bush’s administration), the US had a defensive ground weapon that knocked incoming enemy warhead from the sky.
They made a very big issue about it, but some times the defensive rocket was released too late and the enemy’s rocket hit the ground (I think it was in Israel).

Hezbollah rockets are hitting their marks, where are the rocket interceptor?
How come we don’t hear anything about it now?
Or did it never really worked?

Does anyone recall? Thanks

Answer 1

The rockets being used don't achieve much altitude, so they aren't able to track them. Keep in mind also, that the rockets being used are only being fired 1-2 miles, flying only a couple hundred yards off the ground.

You are refering to the Patriot Missile Program. It is more successful at shooting down longer range (higher arching) missiles (such as the SCUDs Iraq was shooting).

Answer 2

You're talking about the Patriot Missile system, originally designed as an anti-aircraft missile, then adapted to engage ballistic missiles (like Scuds). The Patriot is not designed to engage short-range artillery rockets like Hezbollah is using. Think about it - a Scud missile has a range between 10 and 30 times longer than the rockets Hezbollah is using. There isn't time to track and intercept.

Answer 3

Because these are short-range rockets not longer range missiles.

BTW - for everybody who pans the performance of the Patriot missile during the first Gulf war. Remember that this was a version that had never been intended or designed for actual combat use. We achieved a 50% success rate with a missile that had been designed as an experiment.

Answer 4

Well, it may be that the Desert Storm missiles were scud missiles, which are much larger than the rockets that Hezbollah fires, which makes the Hezbollah rockets harder to track. Plus, they only fire to targets around 30 miles away, so there's not much time to detect, target, and destroy it.

Answer 5

The katyusha rockets used by Hezbollah are too small to be targeted by missile defense systems (i.e. Patriot Missile defense system)

Answer 6

That was the Patriot missile program, and it wasn't very successful. At the time, American forces were in Israel setting them off/testing the system. They aren't right now and subsequent evidence and testing revealed just how unsuccessful it was.

Answer 7

Please note this stuff is dreamt up to transfer more of taxpayers money to weapons manufacturers.

The best defence is peace and harmony not producing weapons

Answer 8

they werent on any bargin sale at the time bet they wish they had some now

Answer 9

Why do you care? You probably hate what our military is doing.

Answer 10

Bullshit they tell people so they can get to sleep at night....