The MIM-104 Patriot is a surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, the primary of its kind used by the United States Armyand several allied nations. It is manufactured by the U.S. defense contractor Raytheon and derives its name from the radar component of the weapon system. The AN/MPQ-53 at the heart of the system is known as the "Phased arrayTracking Radar to Intercept on Target" which is a backronym for PATRIOT. The Patriot System replaced the Nike Hercules system as the U.S. Army's primary High to Medium Air Defense (HIMAD) system, and replaced the MIM-23 Hawk system as the U.S. Army's medium tactical air defense system. In addition to these roles, Patriot has been given the function of the U.S. Army's anti-ballistic missile (ABM) system, which is now Patriot's primary mission. The system is expected to stay fielded until at least 2040.

Patriot uses an advanced aerial interceptor missile and high-performance radar systems. Patriot was developed at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, which had previously developed the Safeguard ABM system and its component Spartan and hypersonic speed Sprint missiles. The symbol for Patriot is a drawing of a Revolutionary War-era Minuteman.

Type	Mobile long-range surface-to-air missile with anti-ballistic missilecapability
Place of origin	United States
Service history
In service	Since 1981; initial operational capacity 1984.[1]
Used by	See operators
Wars	Gulf War Iraqi War 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict Syrian Civil War Yemeni Civil War (2015-present) Saudi-led intervention in Yemen (2015-present) Conflict in Najran, Jizan and Asir
Production history
Designer	Raytheon, Hughes, and RCA
Designed	1969
Unit cost	About US$2–3 million
Produced	1976
No. built	1,106 launchers in U.S. service Over 172 launchers exported Over 10,000 missiles manufactured
Variants	See variants