The Japanese Air Self Defense Forces (JASDF) concluded at Fort Bliss, Texas, its annual training exercise that included target engagement and successful test firings of the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System, Raytheon [RTN] said recently.
The company provided operational support for the annual service practice conducted by the JASDF.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industry (MHI) is the prime contractor for Patriot in Japan and manufactures the guidance-enhanced missile for Japan.
“JASDF, MHI and Raytheon continue to demonstrate an unprecedented work ethic whereby mission success is accomplished by teamwork,” said Skip Garrett, vice president and deputy for Patriot Programs at Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). “Year in and year out, this team provides ‘no doubt’ results.”
Patriot fire unit crews operating Raytheon’s Configuration-3 system conducted numerous missions against various targets during the course of the exercise, which took place from midsummer through mid-fall. Approximately 450 JASDF personnel participated in this year’s mission.
Japan is one of 12 nations that employ the combat-proven Patriot as a key component of their air and missile defense programs.