Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
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Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD - formerly "Theater High Altitude Area Defense") is a United States Army project to develop an anti-ballistic missile defense system, against theater or regional threats. The THAAD system is intended to engage incoming missiles by firing its own interceptor missile at the threat, which are then destroyed by colliding with them, utilizing hit-to-kill-technology. The THAAD system was designed to handle short and medium range ballistic missiles; such as Scuds and derived weapons. However, a limited incidental capability against ICBMs exists.
The THAAD system is being designed, built, and integrated by Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company (LMSSC) acting as prime contractor. Key subcontractors include Raytheon, Boeing, Rocketdyne, Honeywell, and BAE Systems. Development of the THAAD system was budgeted at over USD$700 million for 2004, and full deployment is expected to cost tens of billions of dollars.
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[edit] Early development
The THAAD missile defense concept was first proposed in 1987, with a formal request for proposals submitted to the industry in 1990. In September 1992, the U.S. Army selected Lockheed Martin as prime contractor for THAAD development. The first THAAD flight test occurred in April 1995, with all flight tests in the program phase DEM-VAL (Demonstration-Validation) occurring at White Sands Missile Range. The first six intercept attempts failed and did not succeed in hitting the target vehicle (Flights 4-9). The first successful target intercepts were conducted on June 10, 1999 and August 2, 1999 against the Hera missile.
[edit] Current program status
The Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the THAAD program was awarded to Lockheed Martin in June 2000. This program phase was to transform the successful design and lessons learned into a mobile tactical army fire unit. Flight tests of this system are scheduled to resume with missile characterization and full up system tests in 2006 at WSMR, then move to the Pacific Missile Range Facility test area in later this year.
On 22 November 2005, THAAD successfully completed its first Flight EMD Test, known as FLT-01. The test was missile only, with no target. It was deemed a success by LMSSC and by the customer.
On 11 May 2006, THAAD successfully conducted FLT-02. It was the first developmental flight test to engage the entire THAAD weapon system including interceptor, launcher, radar, and fire control system.
On 12 July 2006, THAAD successfully conducted FLT-03, intercepting a live target missile.
On 13 September 2006, THAAD attempted to conduct the FLT-04 test. The HERA target successfully launched but had to be terminated mid course due to an anomaly. The termination of the HERA target occurred before the intercept launch of the FLT-04 missile. This has officially been characterized as a "no test".
[edit] DEM-VAL Test History
- 21 April 1995: THAAD successfully completed its first test flight to prove its propulsion system. There was no target in the test.
- 31 July 1995: THAAD failed a kill vehicle control test. The test flight was aborted. There was no target in the test.
- 13 October 1995: THAAD was launched to test its target-seeking system. There was no attempt to hit the target in the test.
- 13 December 1995: THAAD failed to hit a test target due to software errors in the missile's fuel system.
- 22 March 1996: THAAD failed to hit a test target due to mechanical problems with the kill vehicle's booster separation.
- 15 July 1996: THAAD failed to hit a test target due to a malfunction in the targeting system.
- 6 March 1997: THAAD failed to hit a test target due to a contamination in the electrical system.
- 12 May 1998: THAAD 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: THAAD failed to hit a test target due to multiple failures including guidance system.
- 10 June 1999: THAAD hit a test target in a simplified test scenario.
- 2 August 1999: THAAD hit a test target outside the atmosphere
- 30 June 2000: the THAAD program received a $4 Billion federal contract.
[edit] Program details
During test flights that occur at White Sands Missile Range, the missile undergoes the THAAD Energy Management Steering (TEMS) maneuver to burn excess booster propellant and primarily to keep the missile within test range boundaries (see Figure "TEMS contrail" on right).
THAAD missiles have an estimated range of 125 statute miles (200 km), and can reach a maximum altitude of 93 statute miles (150 km).
The THAAD missile does not carry an explosive warhead and destroys incoming missiles by colliding with them, utilizing hit-to-kill-technology, unlike the one used by the MIM-104 Patriot PAC-3.
Although originally an US army program, THAAD has come under the umbrella of the Missile Defense Agency. A similar program to THAAD belongs to the Navy; the sea based Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System.
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.
The THAAD Radar is an X-Band Radar developed and built by Raytheon at its Andover, MA Integrated Air Defense Facility. It is the largest ground/air transportable X-Band radar on earth.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
[edit] DEM-VAL Test Program
[edit] EMD Test Program
- Successful THAAD Interceptor Launch Achieved, 22 November 2005
- Successful THAAD Integrated System Flight Test, 11 May 2006
- Successful THAAD Intercept Flight, 12 July 2006
