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 a system to shoot down short- and medium-range ballistic missiles over a theater or region by ramming them with interceptor missiles. THAAD was designed to hit Scuds and similar weapons, but has a limited capability against ICBMs.
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, Aerojet, Rocketdyne, Honeywell, BAE Systems, and MiltonCAT. Development 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 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 by Homayun K. Navez, 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 program phase DEM-VAL (Demonstration-Validation) 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 10, 1999, and August 2, 1999, against Hera missiles.
[edit] Demonstration-Validation phase
- 21 April 1995: THAAD 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.
[edit] Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase
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 WSMR, then moved to the Pacific Missile Range Facility.
On 22 November 2005, THAAD launched a missile in its first Flight EMD Test, known as FLT-01. The test was deemed a success by Lockheed and the Pentagon.
On 11 May 2006, THAAD conducted FLT-02, the first developmental flight test to test the entire THAAD system including interceptor, launcher, radar, and fire control system.
On 12 July 2006, THAAD conducted FLT-03, intercepting a live target missile.
On 13 September 2006, THAAD attempted to conduct the FLT-04 test. The HERA target 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."
FLT-05, a missile-only test, was postponed until mid-spring 2007.
On 27 January 2007, THAAD conducted FLT-06 test, intercepting 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.
On 6 April 2007, THAAD conducted FLT-07 test, intercepting 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. [1] [2]
On 27 October 2007, THAAD conducted 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.[3][4]
THAAD was originally scheduled for deployment in 2012, but deployment has recently been accelerated to 2009. [5]
[edit] Program details
During test flights at White Sands Missile Range, the missile undergoes the THAAD Energy Management Steering (TEMS) maneuver to burn excess propellant and keep the missile within the test range (see Figure "TEMS contrail" on right).
THAAD missiles have an estimated range of 125 statute miles (200 km), and can reach an altitude of 93 statute miles (150 km).
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 MIM-104 Patriot PAC-2 which carried only an explosive warhead detonated using a proximity fuse.
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.
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 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.
[edit] First Line Unit Activated at Fort Bliss
On May 28th, 2008, the U.S. Army activated Alpha Battery/4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. The Unit is part of the 32nd Army Air & Missile Defense Command. It will have 24 THAAD interceptors, three THAAD launchers, a THAAD Fire Control and a THAAD radar. Full fielding will begin in 2009. [6] [7]
[edit] Possible International Buyers
The United Arab Emirates has requested the purchase of a new U.S. missile defense system developed by Lockheed Martin Corp, a deal that could be worth $7 billion, if approved.[8]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ "MDA's new THAAD success", Martin Sieff, UPI, April 6, 2007
- ^ "Army, Navy and Air Force shoot down test missile", Tom Finnegan, Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Friday, April 6, 2007
- ^ Press Release by Lockheed Martin on Newswires
- ^ 31st successful “hit to kill” intercept in 39 tests
- ^ "Pentagon To Accelerate THAAD Deployment", Jeremy Singer, Space News, September 4 2006
- ^ "First Battery of THAAD Weapon System Activated at Fort Bliss", Lockheed Martin, newsblaze., May 28 2008
- ^ "First Battery of THAAD Weapon System Activated at Fort Bliss", Press Release , Lockheed Martin Official Website, May 28 2008
- ^ "UAE seeks $7 bln Lockheed weapon system", Andrea Shalal-Esa, Reuters UK, May 29 2008
[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
- THAAD Equipment Arrives in Hawaii, October 18, 2006
- Successful THAAD "High Endo-Atmospheric" Intercept Test, January 27, 2007
- Successful THAAD Radar Target Tracking Test, March 8, 2007
- Successful THAAD "Mid Endo-Atmopsheric" Intercept, April 6, 2007
- THAAD Radar Supports Successful Aegis BMD Intercept, June 22, 2007
- Successful THAAD Interceptor Low-Altitude "Fly-Out" Test, June 27, 2007
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