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Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
THAAD Launcher
THAAD missile launcher
Type Anti-ballistic missile system
Place of origin United States
Service history
In service 2008-present
Used by United States Army
Production history
Designed 1987
Manufacturer Lockheed Martin
Unit cost US$ $800,000,000
Produced 2008-present
No. built 24 Interceptors (First Deployment)
Specifications
Mass 900 kg[1]
Length 6.17 m[1]
Diameter 34 cm[1]

Operational
range
>200 km[1]
Maximum speed Mach 8.24 or 2.8 km/s[1]

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is a United States Army system designed to shoot down short, medium, and intermediate ballistic missiles in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill approach. The missile carries no warhead but relies on the kinetic energy of the impact. THAAD was designed to hit Scuds and similar weapons, but has a limited capability against ICBMs.[citation needed]

The THAAD system is being designed, built, and integrated by Lockheed Martin Space Systems acting as prime contractor. Key subcontractors include Raytheon, Boeing, Aerojet, Rocketdyne, Honeywell, BAE Systems, MiltonCAT, and the Oliver Capital Consortium. One THAAD system costs US$ $800 million.[2]

Although originally a U.S. Army program, THAAD has come under the umbrella of the Missile Defense Agency. The Navy has a similar program, the sea-based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System, which now has a land component as well ("Aegis ashore"). The two now share some subsystems, for example the AN/TPY-2 radar. THAAD was originally scheduled for deployment in 2012, but initial deployment took place May 2008.[3][4]

Development[]

Wfm thaad diagram

THAAD missile diagram

The THAAD missile defense concept was proposed in 1987, with a formal request for proposals submitted to industry in 1990. In September 1992, the U.S. Army selected Lockheed Martin as prime contractor for THAAD development. Prior to development of a physical prototype, the Aero-Optical Effect (AOE) software code was developed to validate the intended operational profile of Lockheed's proposed design. The first THAAD flight test occurred in April 1995, with all flight tests in the Demonstration-Validation (DEM-VAL) program phase occurring at White Sands Missile Range. The first six intercept attempts missed the target (Flights 4-9). The first successful intercepts were conducted on June 20, 1999, and August 2, 1999, against Hera missiles.

Demonstration-Validation Phase[]

Date Result Notes
21 April 1995 Success First test flight to prove the propulsion system. There was no target in the test.
31 July 1995 Aborted Kill vehicle control test. The test flight was aborted. There was no target in the test.
13 October 1995 Success Launched to test its target-seeking system. There was no attempt to hit the target in the test.
13 December 1995 Failure Failed to hit a test target due to software errors in the missile's fuel system.
22 March 1996 Failure Failed to hit a test target due to mechanical problems with the kill vehicle's booster separation.
15 July 1996 Failure Failed to hit a test target due to a malfunction in the targeting system.
6 March 1997 Failure Failed to hit a test target due to a contamination in the electrical system.
12 May 1998 Failure Failed to hit a test target due to an electrical short circuit in the booster system. At this point, the U.S. Congress reduced funding for the project due to repeated failures.
29 March 1999 Failure Failed to hit a test target due to multiple failures including guidance system.
10 June 1999 Success Hit a test target in a simplified test scenario.
2 August 1999 Success Hit a test target outside the atmosphere.

Engineering and manufacturing phase[]

In June 2000, Lockheed won the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract to turn the design into a mobile tactical army fire unit. Flight tests of this system resumed with missile characterization and full-up system tests in 2006 at White Sands Missile Range, then moved to the Pacific Missile Range Facility.

Date Result Notes
22 November 2005 Success Launched a missile in its first Flight EMD Test, known as FLT-01. The test was deemed a success by Lockheed and the Pentagon.
11 May 2006 Success(?) FLT-02, the first developmental flight test to test the entire system including interceptor, launcher, radar, and fire control system.
12 July 2006 Success FLT-03. Intercepted a live target missile.
13 September 2006 Aborted Hera target missile launched but had to be terminated in mid-flight before the launch of the FLT-04 missile. This has officially been characterized as a "no test."
Fall 2006 Cancelled FLT-05, a missile-only test, was postponed until mid-spring 2007.
27 January 2007 Success FLT-06. Intercepted a "high endo-atmospheric" (just inside earth’s atmosphere) unitary (non-separating) target representing a "SCUD"-type ballistic missile launched from a mobile platform off Kauai in the Pacific Ocean.
6 April 2007 Success FLT-07 test. Intercepted a “mid endo-atmospheric” unitary target missile off Kauai in the Pacific Ocean. It successfully tested THAAD's interoperability with other elements of the MDS system.[5][6]
27 October 2007 Success Conducted a successful exo-atmospheric test at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) off Kauai, Hawaii. The flight test demonstrated the system's ability to detect, track and intercept an incoming unitary target above the Earth's atmosphere. The Missile was hot-condition tested to prove its ability to operate in extreme environments.[7][8]
27 June 2008 Success Downed a missile launched from a C-17 Globemaster III[9]
17 September 2008 Aborted Target missile failed shortly after launch so neither interceptor was launched. Officially a "no test".[10]
17 March 2009 Success A repeat of the September flight test. This time it was a success[11]
11 December 2009 Aborted FTT-11: The Hera target missile failed to ignite after air deployment and the interceptor was not launched. Officially a "no test".[12]
29 June 2010 Success FTT-14: Conducted a successful endo-atmospheric intercept of unitary target at lowest altitude to date. Afterward, exercised Simulation-Over-Live-Driver (SOLD) system to inject multiple simulated targets into the THAAD radar to test system's ability to engage a mass raid of enemy ballistic missiles.[13]
5 October 2011 Success FTT-12: Conducted a successful endo-atmospheric intercept of two targets with two interceptors.[14]
24 October 2012 Success FTI-01 (Flight Test Integrated 01): test of the integration of THAAD with PAC-3 and Aegis against a raid of 5 missiles of different types.[15] During this engagement THAAD successfully intercepted an Extended Long Range Air Launch Target (E-LRALT) missile dropped from a C-17 north of Wake Island.[16] This marked the first time THAAD had intercepted a Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM).[16] Two AN/TPY-2 were used in the $180m test, with the forward-based radar feeding data into Aegis and Patriot systems as well as THAAD.[17]

Production and deployment[]

Tems11

THAAD Energy Management Steering maneuver, used to burn excess propellant.

Sometimes called Kinetic Kill technology, the THAAD missile destroys missiles by colliding with them, using hit-to-kill technology, like the MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3 (although the PAC-3 also contains a small explosive warhead). This is unlike the Patriot PAC-2 which carried only an explosive warhead detonated using a proximity fuse. Although the actual figures are classified, THAAD missiles have an estimated range of 125 miles (200 km), and can reach an altitude of 93 miles (150 km). The THAAD missile is manufactured at the Lockheed Martin Pike County Operations facility near Troy, Alabama. The facility performs final integration, assembly and testing of the THAAD missile.

FBX T

The AN/TPY-2 radar

The THAAD Radar is an X-Band Radar developed and built by Raytheon at its Andover, Massachusetts Integrated Air Defense Facility. It is the world's largest ground/air-transportable X-Band radar. The THAAD Radar and a variant developed as a forward sensor for ICBM missile defense, the "Forward-Based X-Band - Transportable (FBX-T)" radar were assigned a common designator, AN/TPY-2, in late 2006/early 2007.

First Line Units Activated at Fort Bliss[]

On 28 May 2008, the U.S. Army activated Alpha Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. The Unit is part of the 32nd Army Air & Missile Defense Command. It has 24 THAAD interceptors, three THAAD launchers based on the M1120 HEMTT Load Handling System, a THAAD Fire Control and a THAAD radar. Full fielding began in 2009.[18] [19]

On October 16, 2009, the U.S. Army and the Missile Defense Agency activated the second Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Battery, Alpha Battery, 2nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, at Fort Bliss, Texas.[20]

On August 15, 2012, Lockheed received a $150 million contract from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to produce THAAD Weapon System launchers and fire control and communications equipment for the U.S. Army. The contract includes 12 launchers, two fire control and communications units, and support equipment. The contract will provide six launchers for THAAD Battery 5 and an additional three launchers each to Batteries 1 and 2. These deliveries will bring all Batteries to the standard six launcher configuration.[21]

Deployment to Hawaii[]

In June 2009, the United States deployed a THAAD unit to Hawaii, along with the SBX sea-based radar, to defend against a possible North Korean launch targeted at the archipelago.[22]

Deployment to Guam[]

In April 2013, the United States declared that Alpha Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, would be deployed to Guam to defend against a possible North Korean IRBM attack targeting the island.[23][24]

Israel[]

Currently the only active foreign military installation on Israeli soil is the American AN/TPY-2 early missile warning radar station on Mt. Keren in the Negev desert.[25]

Turkey[]

According to U.S. officials AN/TPY-2 radar was deployed at Turkey’s Kürecik Air Force base.[26] The radar was activated at January 2012 [27]

International users[]

The United Arab Emirates signed a deal to purchase the missile defense system on December 25, 2011.[28] On May 27, 2013, Oman announced a deal for the acquisition of the THAAD air defense system.[29]

On 17 October 2013, the South Korean military asked the Pentagon to provide information on the THAAD system. Information of the system concerned prices and capabilities. As part of efforts to strengthen defenses against North Korean ballistic missiles, South Korea is apparently seeking to combine domestic and U.S. technologies.[30]

See also[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 "THAAD". Webcache.googleusercontent.com. http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:BLQsfe2L43wJ:www.astronautix.com/lvs/thaad.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  2. "With an Eye on Pyongyang, U.S. Sending Missile Defenses to Guam",The Wall Street Journal,April 3,2013
  3. "Pentagon To Accelerate THAAD Deployment", Jeremy Singer, Space News, September 4, 2006
  4. "Lockheed Martin completes delivery of all components of 1st THAAD battery to U.S. Army",Yourdefencenews.com,March 8,2012
  5. "MDA's new THAAD success", Martin Sieff, UPI, April 6, 2007
  6. "Army, Navy and Air Force shoot down test missile", Tom Finnegan, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Friday, April 6, 2007
  7. "Press Release by Lockheed Martin on Newswires". Texas: Prnewswire.com. 2007-10-26. http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-27-2007/0004691528&EDATE=. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  8. "31st successful "hit to kill" intercept in 39 tests". Frontierindia.net. 2007-10-27. http://frontierindia.net/thaad-weapon-system-conducts-successful-exo-atmospheric-interceptor-test/. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  9. "THAAD shoots down missile from C-17 The Associated Press, June 27, 2008
  10. Defense Test Conducted MDA September 27, 2008
  11. http://www.mda.mil/mdaLink/html/thaad1.html MDA March 17, 2009
  12. http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2009/12/12/news/kauai_news/doc4b2340ec88a64507181422.txt The Garden Island December 12, 2009
  13. http://www.mda.mil/news/10news0008.html MDA June 29, 2010
  14. http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2011/MFC_100511_THAADAchievesIntercept.html Lockheed Martin October 5, 2011
  15. "FTI-01 Mission Data Sheet". Missile Defense Agency. 15 OCtober 2012. http://www.mda.mil/global/documents/pdf/FTI_01_factsheet.pdf. 
  16. 16.0 16.1 "Ballistic Missile Defense System Engages Five Targets Simultaneously During Largest Missile Defense Flight Test in History". Missile Defense Agency. 25 October 2012. http://www.mda.mil/news/12news0011.html. 
  17. Butler, Amy (5 November 2012). "Pentagon Begins To Tackle Air Defense ‘Raid’ Threat". http://www.aviationweek.com/Article.aspx?id=/article-xml/AW_11_05_2012_p37-512323.xml. 
  18. "First Battery of THAAD Weapon System Activated at Fort Bliss", Lockheed Martin, newsblaze., May 28, 2008
  19. "First Battery of THAAD Weapon System Activated at Fort Bliss", Press Release , Lockheed Martin Official Website, May 28, 2008
  20. "Second Battery of Lockheed Martin's THAAD Weapon System Activated at Fort Bliss", Reuters (10-16-2009). Retrieved 10-20-2009.
  21. Lockheed Martin Receives $150 Million Contract To Produce THAAD Weapon System Equipment For The U.S. Army - Lockheed press release, Aug. 15, 2012
  22. Gienger, Viola (2009-06-18). "Gates Orders Measures Against North Korea Missile (Update2)". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aOrc17s0Mz7g. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  23. "US to move missiles to Guam after North Korea threats". BBC. 2013-04-03. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22021832. Retrieved 2013-04-03. 
  24. Burge, David (2013-04-09). "100 bound for Guam: Fort Bliss THAAD unit readies for historic mission". El Paso Times. http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_22983471/100-bound-guam. Retrieved 2013-04-12. 
  25. "How a U.S. Radar Station in the Negev Affects a Potential Israel-Iran Clash." Time Magazine, 30 May 2012.
  26. "U.S. Maintains Full Control of Turkish-Based Radar" Defense Update, 30 January 2012
  27. "NATO Activates Radar in Turkey Next Week" Turkish Weekly Journal, 24 December 2011
  28. "U.S., UAE reach deal for missile-defense system", CNN Wire Staff, CNN, Dec 30, 2011
  29. Oman to buy the air defense missile system THAAD - Armyrecognition.com, May 27, 2013
  30. Army of South Korea shows interest for the U.S. THAAD - Armyrecognition.com, 18 October 2013

External links[]

DEM-VAL Test Program[]

EMD Test Program[]

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The original article can be found at Terminal High Altitude Area Defense and the edit history here.
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