THAAD achieves intercept of two targets
The US Army Test and Evaluation Command, The Missile Defense Agency and the US Army conducted a flight test of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system today, challenging the system to track, detect and intercept two different targets utilizing two THAAD interceptors -- a first for the system.
The flight test, known as FTT-12, was designated an Initial Operational Test and Evaluation test by the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, Office of the Secretary of Defense. The Director, Operational Test and Evaluation and the Army Test and Evaluation Command will also independently evaluate the operational effectiveness of the system. It was conducted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on Kauai, Hawaii.
During the mission, the first THAAD missile intercepted an air-launched short-range ballistic missile target. The second THAAD missile intercepted a sea-launched short-range ballistic missile target a short time later. Since 2005, the program has completed 12 flight tests, with nine-for-nine intercepts.
“Today’s outcome is a credit to the soldiers who executed this mission from start to finish,” said Tom McGrath, THAAD vice president and program manager at Lockheed Martin. “It was, by far, THAAD’s most challenging flight test to date and demonstrates the system’s advanced capabilities.”
Soldiers from Alpha Battery, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the first THAAD battery activated in 2008, transported the weapon system from Fort Bliss, Texas, in mid-August. Soldiers emplaced the system at PMRF and operated the system under the control of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command during the flight test. In order to make this a realistic tactical environment, the soldiers did not know what day or time the mission would occur.
THAAD is the only missile defense system with the operational flexibility to intercept in both the endo- and exo-atmospheres to provide versatile capability to the warfighter.
A key element of the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), THAAD is a Missile Defense Agency program, with the program office located in Huntsville, AL. The agency is developing the BMDS to defend the United States, its deployed forces and allies against ballistic missiles at all ranges and in all phases of flight.
Source: Lockheed Martin
More from Land Warfare
-
![FNSS advances Indonesian Kaplan APC programme as local production expands]()
FNSS advances Indonesian Kaplan APC programme as local production expands
FNSS and PT Pindad are progressing the Indonesian tracked armoured personnel carrier programme as local production gets under way.
-
![British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement]()
British Army's open plan draws diverse offerings for Land Rover replacement
The UK Ministry of Defence has avoided being prescriptive in its search to replace the British Army’s Land Rover, meaning vehicle types being offered range from Land Rover Defender Wolf II and Humvee to the hybrid series Fering Pioneer. What does this mean for the procurement process?
-
![DVD 2026: British Army’s Ajax back in the hands of users as part of a gradual return]()
DVD 2026: British Army’s Ajax back in the hands of users as part of a gradual return
The introduction of Ajax vehicles into British Army service was stopped after operator health issues were reported during an exercise, but manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems UK believes work over the past 10 months has dealt with the problems.
-
![Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions]()
Europe commits to long-range fires but countries move in different directions
Sweden, Croatia and France are pursuing different rocket artillery solutions as European armies seek greater reach, survivability and industrial resilience.
