THAAD

THAAD PROGRAM SUMMARY

THAAD  is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense Missile formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense. It is a United States Army anti-ballistic missile system designed to shoot down short, medium, and intermediate range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase using a hit-to-kill approach. It is the most advanced missile system on the planet The United Arab Emirates is the sole foreign buyer after signing a deal with the Department of Defense for $3.4 billion.

GENERAL DATES

DATES WITH PIONEER

• 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 targeting the archipelago.
• 2011: The United Arab Emirates signed a deal to purchase the missile defense system on 25 December 2011.
• 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.
• 2013: The South Korean military asked the Pentagon to provide information on the THAAD system concerning prices and capabilities as part of efforts to strengthen defenses against North Korean ballistic missiles.
• 2014: Alpha Battery, 2nd ADA RGT, did a change of responsibility with A-4 and took over the Defense of Guam Mission. After a successful 12-month deployment by A-4, Alpha 2 took its place for a 12-month deployment.
• 2014: The Pentagon revealed it was studying sites to base THAAD batteries in South Korea.
• 2015: A THAAD system was a key component of Campaign Fierce Sentry Flight Test Operational-02 Event 2 (FTO-02 E2), a complex $230 million U.S. military missile defense system test event conducted at Wake Island and the surrounding ocean areas.
• 2015: Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said he would consider the U.S. deploying the THAAD in Japan to counter the threat of North Korean ballistic missiles.
• 2016: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi expressed concerns that deployment of THAAD in South Korea, despite being directed at North Korea, could jeopardize China’s “legitimate national security interests.
• 2016: American and South Korean military officials agreed to deploy the THAAD missile defense system in the country to counter North Korea’s growing threats and use of ballistic missile and nuclear tests; each THAAD unit consists of six truck-mounted launchers, 48 interceptors, a fire control and communications unit, and an AN/TPY-2 radar.
• 2016: The U.S. and South Korea announced that THAAD would be relocated within the county, farther from the town’s main residential areas and higher in elevation, to alleviate concerns.
• 2016: Army Space and Missile Defense Command was considering THAAD deployments to Europe with EUCOM and the Middle East with CENTCOM.
• 2016: Japan was considering procuring either THAAD or Aegis Ashore to add a new missile defense layer.

• 2003: First THAAD Booking placed by  578-Lockheed Martin Corp. Owego, NY
• 2006:  707-Lockheed Martin M&FC – MA places their first THAAD booking
• 2006:  386-Lockheed Martin-NJ places their first THAAD booking
• 2006:  544-LMCO Missile & Fire Control places their first THAAD booking
• 2012: 362-IRVINE ELECTRONICS places their first THAAD booking

CUSTOMERS ON PROGRAM

SUPPLIERS

• 578-Lockheed Martin Corp. Owego, NY
• 707-Lockheed Martin M&FC – MA
• 386-Lockheed Martin-NJ places their first THAAD booking
• 544-LMCO Missile & Fire Control
• 362-IRVINE ELECTRONICS

• Manufacturer‎: ‎Lockheed Martin
• Lockheed Martin’s missile launcher is just one element of the four-part antimissile system.
• Raytheon’s AN/TPY-2 radar is used to detect, track, and discriminate ballistic missiles in the terminal (or descent) phase of flight.

ANNUAL REVENUE HISTORY

PROGRAM HISTORY

• 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.
• Activated six THAAD batteries in 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

CURRENT & FUTURE NEWS

• By the end of 2016, the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is scheduled to deliver an additional 48 THAAD interceptors to the US military, bringing the total up to 155.
• THAAD manufacturer Lockheed Martin is interested in developing an extended range THAAD variant to counter hypersonic glide vehicles, including China’s own WU-14.
• Japan is considering buying the US Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) advanced anti-missile system to counter North Korea’s Nuclear threat.
• Beijing, Dec 16: China has today requested that the Republic of Korea stop the deployment of the US Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system.
• December 16, 2016: The request declared in Seoul that installation of THAAD should be postponed until the next government evaluates it one more time.
• December 22, 2016: China issued a strong warning to the United States and South Korea again regarding THAAD deployment on the Korean peninsula.