Modern missile defense systems use kinetic energy instead of explosives to destroy targets
Advanced missile defense systems skip the explosives entirely, instead using 'hit-to-kill' technology to destroy incoming ballistic missiles through the sheer force of high-speed kinetic collisions.
Modern interceptors like the Patriot PAC-3 and SAMP/T rely on pure physics rather than traditional warheads. These systems use phased-array radars to track threats traveling at Mach 5, or 6,174 km/h, with pinpoint accuracy. Once launched, the kinetic kill vehicle uses infrared seekers to slam into its target at relative speeds exceeding 10 kilometers per second.
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