This handbook is intended to acquaint you with many of the Army weapon systems and our other support equipment. Keep in mind that these programs are in various stages of development. for example, the success of the PATRIOT air defense missile system in Operation DESERT STORM has made it a household name, but it has been an Army program for 25 years. It began, as with most of our fielded systems, in the technology base, which is discussed in the first section of this handbook. The Army technology base is vitally important to our present and future warfighting capability because it translates basic research into technologies of the future to ensure that we will have PATRIOT like systems to meet tomorrow's threat. The sections that follow categorize the Army weapons systems and other equipment according to their specific missions. These sections include Close Combat; Air Defense; Fire Support; Combat Support; Combat Service Support; Command, Control, and Communications; Soldier Support; and Strategic Conflict.