The Patriot missile in the first gulf war was mostly a failure when it came to its stated purpose of intercepting and rendering harmless incoming missiles. It was however a huge propaganda success. Each time it deflected a SCUD, people felt safer, even though often the explosive payload survived and still caused damage on the ground. Given the almost non-existent guidance system on the SCUD, their goal was simply to hit enemy territory and hope to get lucky. The Patriot didn't change that. But it did keep Israel from entering the war and kept the American public believing that the SCUDs were being derogated. Instead of being horrified at the helplessness against SCUDs, people were cheering for the Patriot missile.