Air Defense: December 6, 2002

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The first of 148 GEM+ Patriot anti-aircraft missiles were delivered in November, 2002. These are PAC-2 missiles that were upgraded to add a new fuze that is more effective against tactical ballistic missiles. Also added was a more accurate sensors on the missile that allow it to find smaller targets (like missile warheads and UAVs). The GEM+ missiles are basically similar in performance to the new PAC-3 missiles.