Terminal High Altitude Area Defense

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
A Terminal High Altitude Area Defense interceptor being fired during an exercise in 2013
TypeMobile anti-ballistic missile system
Place of originUnited States
Service history
In service2008–present
Used byUnited States Army
Production history
Designed1987
ManufacturerLockheed Martin
Produced2008–present
No. builtnumerous
Specifications
Mass2,000 lb (900 kg)[1]
Length20 ft 3 in (6.17 m)[1]
Diameter13 in (340 mm) (booster); 15 in (370 mm) (kill vehicle)[1]

EngineSingle-stage rocket
PropellantPratt & Whitney solid-fueled rocket
Operational
range
120 mi (200 km)[1]
Flight ceiling93 mi (150 km)[1]
Maximum speed 6,300 mph (2,800 m/s; 10,000 km/h; Mach 8.2)[1]
Guidance
system
Indium-antimonide imaging infra-red seeker head
Accuracy0 ft (Hit to kill)
TransportTEL

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is an American anti-ballistic missile defense system designed to shoot down short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase (descent or reentry) by intercepting with a hit-to-kill approach.[2][3] THAAD was developed after the experience of Iraq's Scud missile attacks during the Gulf War in 1991.[4] The THAAD interceptor carries no warhead, instead relying on its kinetic energy of impact to destroy the incoming missile.

Originally a United States Army program, THAAD has come under the umbrella of the Missile Defense Agency.[5] 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.[6][7] 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.[8]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Development of a Hit-to-Kill Guidance Algorithm for Kinetic Energy Weapons, 1988 Archived 27 August 2020 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ^ Mehta, Aaron (25 February 2016). "PACOM Head Supports Exercises Near China, Talks THAAD". Defense News.
  4. ^ "Naver Dictionary: THAAD", Naver Dictionary.
  5. ^ Judson, Jen (14 August 2019). "Slippery slope: MDA boss fights transfer of missile defense system to Army". Defense News.
  6. ^ Singer, Jeremy (5 September 2006). "Pentagon To Accelerate THAAD Deployment". space.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2009.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ 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.

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