Terminal High Altitude Area Defense - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD), formerly Theater High Altitude Area Defense, is a United States Army anti-ballistic missile 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 to destroy the incoming missile. A kinetic energy hit minimizes the risk of exploding conventional warhead ballistic missiles, and nuclear tipped ballistic missiles won't explode upon a kinetic energy hit, although chemical or biological warheads may disintegrate or explode and pose a risk of contaminating the environment. 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, Oshkosh Defense, 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"). THAAD was originally scheduled for deployment in 2012, but initial deployment took place May 2008.[3][4]

Development[edit]

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[edit]

ResultNotes
Date
21 April 1995SuccessFirst test flight to prove the propulsion system. There was no target in the test.
31 July 1995AbortedKill vehicle control test. The test flight was aborted. There was no target in the test.
13 October 1995SuccessLaunched to test its target-seeking system. There was no attempt to hit the target in the test.
13 December 1995FailureFailed to hit a test target due to software errors in the missile's fuel system.
22 March 1996FailureFailed to hit a test target due to mechanical problems with the kill vehicle's booster separation.
15 July 1996FailureFailed to hit a test target due to a malfunction in the targeting system.
6 March 1997FailureFailed to hit a test target due to a contamination in the electrical system.
12 May 1998FailureFailed 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 1999FailureFailed to hit a test target due to multiple failures including guidance system.
10 June 1999SuccessHit a test target in a simplified test scenario.
2 August 1999SuccessHit a test target outside the atmosphere.

Engineering and manufacturing phase[edit]

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.

ResultNotes
Date
22 November 2005SuccessLaunched 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 2006Success(?)FLT-02, the first developmental flight test to test the entire system including interceptor, launcher, radar, and fire control system.
12 July 2006SuccessFLT-03. Intercepted a live target missile.
13 September 2006AbortedHera 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 2006CancelledFLT-05, a missile-only test, was postponed until mid-spring 2007.
27 January 2007SuccessFLT-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 2007SuccessFLT-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 2007SuccessConducted 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 2008SuccessDowned a missile launched from a C-17 Globemaster III.[9]
17 September 2008AbortedTarget missile failed shortly after launch so neither interceptor was launched. Officially a "no test".[10]
17 March 2009SuccessA repeat of the September flight test. This time it was a success.[11]
11 December 2009AbortedFTT-11: The Hera target missile failed to ignite after air deployment and the interceptor was not launched. Officially a "no test".[12]
29 June 2010SuccessFTT-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 2011SuccessFTT-12: Conducted a successful endo-atmospheric intercept of two targets with two interceptors.[14]
24 October 2012SuccessFTI-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]

THAAD-ER[edit]

Lockheed is pushing for funding for the development of an ER version of the THAAD to counter maturing threats posed by hypersonic glide vehicles adversaries may employ, namely the Chinese WU-14, to penetrate the gap between low and high-altitude missile defenses. The company performed static fire trials of a prototype modified THAAD second booster in 2006 and continued to self-fund the project until 2008. The current 14.5 in (37 cm)-diameter single-stage booster design would be expanded to a 21 in (53 cm) first stage for greater range with a second "kick stage" to close the distance to the target and provide improved velocity at burnout and more lateral movement during an engagement. Although the kill vehicle would not need a redesign, the ground-based launcher would have to be modified with a decreased interceptor capacity from eight to five. Currently, THAAD-ER is an industry concept and not a program of record, but Lockheed believes the Missile Defense Agency will show interest because of the threats under development by potential adversaries.[18] If funding for the THAAD-ER began in 2018, a fielded product could be produced in 2022. Although the system could provide some capability against a rudimentary hypersonic threat, the Pentagon is researching other technologies like directed energy weapons and railguns to be optimal solutions. Therefore, the THAAD-ER would be an interim measure to counter the emerging threat until laser and railgun systems capable of performing missile defense come online, expected in the mid to late-2020s.[19]

Production and deployment[edit]

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.

The THAAD Radar is an X-Bandactive electronically scanned array 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.

A THAAD battery consists of nine launcher vehicles, each equipped with eight missiles, with two mobile tactical operations centers (TOCs) and the ground-based radar (GBR);[20] the Army plans to field at least six THAAD batteries.[18]

First Units Activated[edit]

On 28 May 2008, the U.S. Army activated Alpha Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort Bliss, Texas. 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.[21][22]

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.[23]

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.[24]

Deployments[edit]

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.[25]

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 KoreanIRBM attack targeting the island.[26][27]

The American AN/TPY-2 early missile warning radar station on Mt. Keren in the Negev desert is only active foreign military installation in Israel.[28]

According to U.S. officials the AN/TPY-2 radar was deployed at Turkey's Kürecik Air Force base.[29] The radar was activated at January 2012.[30]

International users[edit]

The United Arab Emirates signed a deal to purchase the missile defense system on December 25, 2011.[31] On May 27, 2013, Oman announced a deal for the acquisition of the THAAD air defense system.[32]

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.[33] In May 2014, the Pentagon revealed it was studying sites to base American THAAD batteries in South Korea.[34] However, South Korea decided it will develop its own indigenous long-range surface-to-air missile instead of buying the THAAD.[35] South Korean Defense Ministry officials previously requested information on the THAAD, as well as other missile interceptors like the Israeli Arrow 3, with the intention of researching systems for domestic technology development rather than for purchase. Officials did however claim that American deployment of the THAAD system would help in countering North Korean missile threats.[36] However, China announced that deployment of this system in South Korea is a threat to China's security and can lead to a serious economical and politic consequence for chinese-korean relations [37]Daniel Russel replied that "Beijing doesn't have any relation to this matter and should not interfere with the defense policy of other countries"[38]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ abcde"THAAD". Webcache.googleusercontent.com. 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. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  8. ^"31st successful 'hit to kill' intercept in 39 tests". Frontierindia.net. 2007-10-27. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  9. ^"THAAD shoots down missile from C-17". The Associated Press, June 27, 2008
  10. ^Defense Test ConductedMDA September 27, 2008
  11. ^"Terminal High Altitude Area Defense". MDA. March 17, 2009. Archived from the original on March 26, 2009. 
  12. ^"Officials investigating cause of missile failure". The Garden Island. December 12, 2009. 
  13. ^"THAAD System Intercepts Target in Successful Missile Defense Flight Test". MDA. June 29, 2010. 
  14. ^"THAAD Weapon System Achieves Intercept of Two Targets at Pacific Missile Range Facility". Lockheed Martin. October 5, 2011. Archived from the original on December 9, 2011. 
  15. ^"FTI-01 Mission Data Sheet"(PDF). Missile Defense Agency. 15 October 2012. 
  16. ^ ab"Ballistic Missile Defense System Engages Five Targets Simultaneously During Largest Missile Defense Flight Test in History". Missile Defense Agency. 25 October 2012. 
  17. ^Butler, Amy (5 November 2012). "Pentagon Begins To Tackle Air Defense ‘Raid’ Threat". Aviation Week & Space Technology. 
  18. ^ abChina’s Hypersonic Ambitions Prompt Thaad-ER Push - Aviationweek.com, 8 January 2015
  19. ^Thaad-ER In Search Of A Mission - Aviationweek.com, 20 January 2015
  20. ^U.S. Army has received the latest upgrade for THAAD air defense missile system - Armyrecognition.com, 2 January 2015
  21. ^"First Battery of THAAD Weapon System Activated at Fort Bliss". Lockheed Martin via newsblaze, May 28, 2008
  22. ^"First Battery of THAAD Weapon System Activated at Fort Bliss", Press Release, Lockheed Martin Official Website, May 28, 2008
  23. ^"Second Battery of Lockheed Martin's THAAD Weapon System Activated at Fort Bliss", Reuters (10-16-2009). Retrieved 10-20-2009.
  24. ^Lockheed Martin Receives $150 Million Contract To Produce THAAD Weapon System Equipment For The U.S. Army - Lockheed press release, Aug. 15, 2012
  25. ^Gienger, Viola (2009-06-18). "Gates Orders Measures Against North Korea Missile (Update2)". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2011-01-24. 
  26. ^"US to move missiles to Guam after North Korea threats". BBC. 2013-04-03. Retrieved 2013-04-03. 
  27. ^Burge, David (2013-04-09). "100 bound for Guam: Fort Bliss THAAD unit readies for historic mission". El Paso Times. Retrieved 2013-04-12. 
  28. ^"How a U.S. Radar Station in the Negev Affects a Potential Israel-Iran Clash."Time Magazine, 30 May 2012.
  29. ^"U.S. Maintains Full Control of Turkish-Based Radar"Defense Update, 30 January 2012
  30. ^"NATO Activates Radar in Turkey Next Week"Turkish Weekly Journal, 24 December 2011
  31. ^"U.S., UAE reach deal for missile-defense system", CNN Wire Staff, CNN, Dec 30, 2011
  32. ^Oman to buy the air defense missile system THAAD - Armyrecognition.com, May 27, 2013
  33. ^Army of South Korea shows interest for the U.S. THAAD - Armyrecognition.com, 18 October 2013
  34. ^United States Army has a plan to deploy THAAD air defense missile systems in South Korea - Armyrecognition.com, 29 May 2014
  35. ^S. Korea to develop indigenous missile defense system instead of adopting THAAD - Sina.com, 3 June 2014
  36. ^'S.Korea Requested Information on THAAD to Develop L-SAM' - KBS.co.kr, 5 June 2014
  37. ^China calls USA to cancel THAAD deployment in South Korea
  38. ^http://politobzor.net/show-12855-balans-politiki-ssha-v-azii-smeschaetsya.html

External links[edit]

DEM-VAL Test Program[edit]

EMD Test Program[edit]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_High_Altitude_Area_Defense