When adversaries plan air and missile strikes against U.S. forces or allies, one name reliably complicates their math: Patriot. The U.S. Army’s MIM-104 Patriot air and missile defense system has evolved from a Cold War surface-to-air missile into a networked, combat-proven shield that can swat down aircraft, cruise missiles, and—critically—tactical ballistic missiles. Its deterrent effect rests on three pillars: a hard combat record, continually modernized interceptors and sensors, and growing integration with wider air-defense networks. Together, those factors make Patriot a system enemies must fear—and plan around.