PAC-3
Military abbreviation · Weapon and Military Equipment
| Stands for | Patriot Advanced Capability-3 |
|---|---|
| Categories | Military |
PAC-3 stands for Patriot Advanced Capability-3, a weapon and military equipment abbreviation.
Hit-to-kill interceptor missile and system upgrade of the US Army's Patriot air and missile defense system, designed to destroy tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and aircraft.
Example: Ukraine used PAC-3 interceptors to shoot down Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missiles in 2023.
Usage notes
The Patriot system, designated MIM-104, entered service in the 1980s and became famous during the 1991 Gulf War. Its name is a backronym for Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target. The improved PAC-3 MSE (Missile Segment Enhancement) extends range.
Related abbreviations
More weapon and military equipment abbreviations
- MOP – Massive Ordnance Penetrator
- MQ – Multi-mission unmanned aircraft
- MRAP – Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle
- NASAMS – National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System
- NLAW – Next-generation Light Anti-tank Weapon
- NVG – Night vision goggles
- PGM – Precision-guided munition
- PrSM – Precision Strike Missile
- RPG – Ruchnoy protivotankovy granatomyot (hand-held anti-tank grenade…
- SA – Small arms
- SAM – Surface-to-air missile
- SAPI – Small Arms Protective Insert