Developed by Raytheon, the MIM-104 Patriot became operational in 1985 and is now the US Army's main missile defense system.
The missiles are fired from the M901 Launching station mounted on the back of the M983 Heavy Expanded Mobility Truck.
Source: CSIS
The Patriot fires two kinds of missiles: the Pac-2s and Pac-3s.
The main difference between the Pac-2 and the Pac-3 is that the Pac-3 has a radar transmitter and guidance computer and uses hit-to-kill technology, directly hitting the targeted missile with a small warhead.
The Pac-2s, on the other hand, explode near the target to either knock it off its course or explode it.
The Pac-2 replaced the older Pac-1.
Only one Pac-2, which the Saudis used to try to shoot down the Houthi missiles over the weekend, fits in a canister.
Pac-2s have a maximum speed of Mach 5, a maximum range of more than 60 miles and a maximum altitude of 20 miles.
Source: Missile Defense Agency
They have a maximum speed of Mach 5, a maximum range of 9 to 28 miles, depending on the target, and a maximum altitude of 6 to 9 miles.
Source: globalsecurity.org
And how it's loaded.
Now let's look at the five other vehicles that make up a Patriot battery and allow it to operate.
Source: CSIS