| Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) | |
|---|---|
_interceptors_is_launched_during_a_successful_intercept_test_-_US_Army.jpg) A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptor being fired during an exercise in 2013 | |
| Type | Mobile anti-ballistic missile system |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2008–present |
| Used by | United States Army |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Lockheed |
| Designed | 1992–1999 |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control |
| Unit cost | $1.25 billion per battery $12.6 million per missile (FY2017)[1] |
| Produced | 2008–present |
| No. built | numerous |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2,000 lb (900 kg)[2] |
| Length | 20 ft 3 in (6.17 m)[2] |
| Diameter | 13 in (340 mm) (booster); 15 in (370 mm) (kill vehicle)[2] |
| Engine | Single-stage rocket |
| Propellant | Pratt & Whitney solid-fueled rocket |
Operational range | 120 mi (200 km)[2] |
| Flight ceiling | 93 mi (150 km)[2] |
| Maximum speed | 6,300 mph (2,800 m/s; 10,000 km/h; Mach 8.2)[2] |
Guidance system | Indium-antimonide imaging infra-red seeker head |
| Accuracy | 0 ft (hit to kill) |
| Transport | TEL |
Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is an American anti-ballistic missile defense system designed to intercept and destroy short-, medium-, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase (descent or reentry).[3][4] The THAAD interceptor carries no warhead, instead relying on its kinetic energy of impact to destroy the incoming missile. THAAD was developed after the experience of Iraq's Scud missile attacks during the Gulf War in 1991.[5]
Originally a United States Army program, THAAD has come under the umbrella of the Missile Defense Agency.[6] The Navy has a similar program, the sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, which also has a land component ("Aegis Ashore"). THAAD was originally scheduled for deployment in 2012, but initial deployment took place in May 2008.[7][8] THAAD has been deployed in the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Romania, and South Korea.
On 17 January 2022, THAAD made its first operational interception of an incoming hostile medium-range ballistic missile in the UAE.[9]
- ^ "Australia can do better than THAAD or Iron Dome defences". Australian Strategic Policy Institute.
- ^ a b c d e f Wade, Mark; Parsch, Andreas. "THAAD". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ Development of a Hit-to-Kill Guidance Algorithm for Kinetic Energy Weapons, 1988. Archived 27 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ Mehta, Aaron (25 February 2016). "PACOM Head Supports Exercises Near China, Talks THAAD". Defense News.
- ^ "Naver Dictionary: THAAD", Naver Dictionary.
- ^ Judson, Jen (14 August 2019). "Slippery slope: MDA boss fights transfer of missile defense system to Army". Defense News.
- ^ Singer, Jeremy (5 September 2006). "Pentagon To Accelerate THAAD Deployment". space.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009.
- ^ "Lockheed Martin completes delivery of all components of 1st THAAD battery to U.S. Army". Your Defence News. 8 March 2012. Archived from the original on 30 November 2012.
- ^ Judson, Jen; Gould, Joe (21 January 2022). "THAAD, in first operational use, destroys midrange ballistic missile in Houthi attack". Defense News. Retrieved 5 October 2023.