Lockheed Martin announces US Army THAAD contract
Lockheed Martin has announced that it has been awarded a contract from the Missile Defence Agency (MDA) to produce Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) Weapon System launchers and fire control and communications equipment for the US Army. The company announced the $150 million contract 15 August 2012.
According to the company, the contract includes 12 launchers, two fire control and communications units, and associated support equipment. In total this contract will provide six launchers for THAAD battery 5 and an additional three launchers each to batteries 1 and 2, and will bring all batteries to the standard six launcher configuration.
The production contract for the first two batteries was awarded to Lockheed Martin in late 2006, and contracts for batteries 3 and 4 were awarded in 2011. Delivery of equipment for Battery 5 will be completed by 2015.
The THAAD programme has successfully completed 12 flight tests since 2005, with nine-for-nine intercepts. THAAD is designed to intercept in both the endo- and exo-atmospheres to provide versatile capability to the warfighter. It is a key element of the US Ballistic Missile Defence System (BMDS) and its mission to defend the US, its deployed forces and allies against short and medium range ballistic missiles in the terminal phase of flight.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles]()
Germany signs multi-billion-dollar deals for 6x6 CAVS and GDELS Eagle vehicles
The order is a further boost for the Common Armoured Vehicles System programme which has notched notable successes in the past 12 months. The first vehicle, made in Finland, will be delivered next year with local production expected to ramp up in 2027.
-
![Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options]()
Rheinmetall and KNDS tank tie-up narrows trans-European options
The French and German governments signed an agreement in June 2018 to cooperate on the development of a new main battle tank under the Main Ground Combat System programme but the effort has struggled. This new agreement may damage it further.
-
![Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions]()
Hungary set to begin using Hero 400 loitering munitions
Developed by Israel's Uvision and with systems being sold in the thousands to multiple European NATO countries and the US, the Hero family of loitering systems is also in production in the US and Italy, the latter through Rheinmetall.
-
![Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)]()
Light Reconnaissance Strike – enabling a vital mission set (Studio)
A new system-of-systems concept will unlock digital integration of sensors and weapons for Light Forces, allowing them to shape the battlefield environment on their own terms and upgrade legacy platforms.
