Raytheon to upgrade Dutch Patriot system

Raytheon has been awarded a contract by the Royal Netherlands Defence Materiel Organisation to upgrade its Patriot integrated air and missile defence system with the Modern Man Station user interface, the company announced on 6 October.

The Modern Man Station is an operator-machine interface upgrade to Patriot command and control shelters. It offers a full-colour graphical user interface with LCD displays, touch screens, soft keys and command and control decision support tools. It is used to track potential threats; identify and display airborne objects; and engage hostile targets, including unmanned air vehicles, aircraft, cruise missiles and tactical ballistic missiles.

Following a 2015 decision to continue investing in Patriot, the Netherlands plans to keep the system in its inventory until at least 2040. The addition of the Modern Man Station is part of work to upgrade the country's Patriot inventory to the most advanced capability currently available.

Joe DeAntona, vice president of business development for integrated air and missile defense, Raytheon, said: ‘Patriot remains a pillar of NATO missile defence because it is the only fielded, combat-proven air and missile defence system capable of outpacing the evolving threat.

'This upgrade will make it easier for The Netherlands to operate Patriot, and will provide them enhanced situational awareness.’