Since 01 January 2015, Raytheon’s Patriot™ integrated air and missile defense system has shot down more than 100 tactical ballistic missiles in combat operations around the world. More than 90 of those intercepts involved the low cost Raytheon-made Guidance Enhanced Missile family of interceptors, like the GEM-T surface-to-air-missile in this photo.

Patriot employs multiple interceptor missiles to destroy ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft and drones. GEMs work by flying at extremely fast speeds to close with the threat and then detonating a blast-fragmentation warhead at precisely the right moment.

“No single interceptor is a silver bullet. Using a mix of defensive missiles increases cost-effectiveness and gives commanders operational flexibility to choose the right interceptor at the right time,” said Ralph Acaba, Raytheon Vice President of Integrated Air and Missile Defense.

The Patriot program generates more than 15,000 jobs in 45 states at Raytheon and across 2,200 defense suppliers. Patriot's total domestic economic impact, including the indirect contribution of consumer goods and services, exceeds 44,000 jobs annually. 

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Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions.

With a history of innovation spanning 95 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration, C5I™ products and services, sensing, effects, and mission support for customers in more than 80 countries.

Raytheon is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, USA.