Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
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. THAAD was developed after the experience of Iraq's Scud missile attacks during the Gulf War in 1991. The THAAD interceptor carries no warhead, instead relying on its kinetic energy of impact to destroy the incoming missile.
| Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) | |
|---|---|
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 | |
| Designed | 1987 |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin |
| Produced | 2008–present |
| No. built | numerous |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 900 kg (2,000 lb) |
| Length | 6.17 m (20 ft 3 in) |
| Diameter | 340 mm (13 in) (booster); 370 mm (15 in) (kill vehicle) |
| Engine | Single-stage rocket |
| Propellant | Pratt & Whitney solid-fueled rocket |
Operational range | 200 km (120 mi; 110 nmi) |
| Flight ceiling | 150 km (93 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 2,800 m/s (10,000 km/h; 6,300 mph; Mach 8.2) |
Guidance system | Indium-antimonide imaging infra-red seeker head |
| Accuracy | 0m (Hit to kill) |
| Transport | TEL |
Originally a United States 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 also has a land component ("Aegis Ashore"). THAAD was originally scheduled for deployment in 2012, but initial deployment took place in May 2008. 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.